CostIndexUSA

Montgomery, AL vs Newark, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAL
Montgomery
89.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
NJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Montgomery is significantly cheaper than Newark — 25.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Montgomery, you would need $100,400 in Newark. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+131.1%
Montgomery
64.3
Newark
148.6
🛒 Groceries+14.4%
Montgomery
96.4
Newark
110.3
🚗 Transportation+9.5%
Montgomery
101.5
Newark
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+9.4%
Montgomery
91.9
Newark
100.5
Utilities+49.6%
Montgomery
84.9
Newark
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Montgomery to see what you'd need to earn in Newark to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$100,400
$20,400 more needed in Newark

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 89.7) = salary × 1.2553. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Montgomery, AL

Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
64.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.4×

Newark, NJ

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

Newark has 131.1% higher housing costs compared to Montgomery.

Income & Job Market

Montgomery, AL

Median Household Income
$62,400
Per Capita Income
$35,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
199,518
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryHealthcareManufacturingEducation

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

Montgomery, AL
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.