CostIndexUSA

Jersey City, NJ vs Myrtle Beach, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Jersey City
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Myrtle Beach
93.6
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Myrtle Beach is significantly cheaper than Jersey City — 16.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jersey City, you would need $66,500 in Myrtle Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing44.1%
Jersey City
148.6
Myrtle Beach
83.1
🛒 Groceries12.7%
Jersey City
110.3
Myrtle Beach
96.3
🚗 Transportation7.1%
Jersey City
111.1
Myrtle Beach
103.2
🏥 Healthcare7.1%
Jersey City
100.5
Myrtle Beach
93.4
Utilities30.7%
Jersey City
127
Myrtle Beach
88

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Jersey City to see what you'd need to earn in Myrtle Beach to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Myrtle Beach, SC
$66,500
$13,500 less needed in Myrtle Beach

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.8313. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Jersey City, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Myrtle Beach, SC

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
83.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4×

Jersey City has 44.1% lower housing costs compared to Myrtle Beach.

Income & Job Market

Jersey City, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
292,449
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareTechnologyRetailGovernment

Myrtle Beach, SC

Median Household Income
$69,000
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
34,695
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareRetailReal EstateHospitality

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Jersey City, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% of income left after rent (median)

Myrtle Beach, SC
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.