Cost of living in New Jersey
Statewide averages from BEA, with every metro area in the state compared.
What the numbers say
- Overall prices in New Jersey are 8.8% above the national average, the 4th most expensive of 51 states and DC (BEA 2024).
- Housing is the main reason prices in New Jersey differ from the national level: housing costs (rents) are 34.3% above the US average, while goods are 7.1% above average and other services 3.5% above average.
- Within New Jersey, metro price levels run from 96.0 in Vineland, NJ to 112.6 in New York, NY (US = 100).
- Compared with the rest of the country, New Jersey has become less expensive since 2019: the index went from 111.2 to 108.8, and its rank from 2nd to 4th most expensive. Housing in New Jersey moved most, from 141.2 to 134.3.
- After adjusting for local prices, personal income per person is $63,142 in 2017 dollars, 12th of 51 (BEA 2024).
Written from this page's own figures. Price levels are for an average household basket and do not include taxes. How we calculate.
Where the money goes
Statewide price levels by category. Cities and rural areas within the state can differ a lot; see the metro table below.
In New Jersey, housing is the category furthest from the US average: 34.3% above
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
Bars to the right of the line cost more than the US average; to the left, less.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| All items | 108.8 |
| Goods | 107.1 |
| Housing (rents) | 134.3 |
| Utilities | 114.2 |
| Other services | 103.5 |
Gas prices
Regular gasoline averaged $4.31 a gallon in the Central Atlantic region in the week of October 19, 2026, $0.03 more than the US average of $4.28. EIA does not publish a separate weekly figure for New Jersey, so this is the regional average. official
Work out your commute's gas cost
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, including taxes.
Cheapest places to live in New Jersey
By overall prices, the cheapest of the 6 metro areas BEA measures in New Jersey are Vineland, NJ (96.0), Atlantic City, NJ (98.9) and Allentown, PA (100.0); the most expensive is New York, NY (112.6). US average = 100, BEA 2024. Rural areas are not listed separately.
Vineland, NJ is the cheapest metro area in New Jersey (96.0); New York, NY the most expensive (112.6)
Overall price level, 2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| All items | |
|---|---|
| Vineland, NJ | 96.0 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 98.9 |
| Allentown, PA | 100.0 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 102.6 |
| Trenton, NJ | 103.2 |
| New York, NY | 112.6 |
| Metro area | Overall | Housing | Goods | Utilities | Other services | Typical rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vineland, NJ | 96.0 | 83.9 | 99.8 | 108.2 | 97.9 | $1,649 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 98.9 | 98.7 | 99.8 | 109.2 | 97.9 | $2,049 |
| Allentown, PA | 100.0 | 105.5 | 100.6 | 107.6 | 97.8 | $1,841 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 102.6 | 113.1 | 96.8 | 114.4 | 103.1 | $1,903 |
| Trenton, NJ | 103.2 | 135.1 | 99.8 | 112.3 | 97.9 | $2,523 |
| New York, NY | 112.6 | 148.6 | 110.3 | 127.0 | 105.8 | $3,546 |
Price levels: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How prices have changed since 2008
Price levels relative to the whole country in each year, not inflation.
New Jersey has stayed above the US average since 2008
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 107.6 |
| 2009 | 111.0 |
| 2010 | 108.8 |
| 2011 | 109.2 |
| 2012 | 109.3 |
| 2013 | 108.8 |
| 2014 | 109.0 |
| 2015 | 109.0 |
| 2016 | 109.1 |
| 2017 | 109.3 |
| 2018 | 111.0 |
| 2019 | 111.2 |
| 2020 | 110.7 |
| 2021 | 109.2 |
| 2022 | 108.8 |
| 2023 | 108.9 |
| 2024 | 108.8 |
Goods: 103.7 in 2008, 107.1 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 103.7 |
| 2009 | 104.5 |
| 2010 | 100.1 |
| 2011 | 102.1 |
| 2012 | 104.3 |
| 2013 | 104.7 |
| 2014 | 102.0 |
| 2015 | 103.8 |
| 2016 | 103.5 |
| 2017 | 101.8 |
| 2018 | 106.9 |
| 2019 | 105.3 |
| 2020 | 105.5 |
| 2021 | 101.8 |
| 2022 | 104.8 |
| 2023 | 105.8 |
| 2024 | 107.1 |
Housing (rents): 153.4 in 2008, 134.3 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 153.4 |
| 2009 | 149.1 |
| 2010 | 150.4 |
| 2011 | 145.8 |
| 2012 | 149.4 |
| 2013 | 147.5 |
| 2014 | 147.5 |
| 2015 | 145.3 |
| 2016 | 145.6 |
| 2017 | 140.5 |
| 2018 | 141.4 |
| 2019 | 141.2 |
| 2020 | 139.5 |
| 2021 | 134.9 |
| 2022 | 135.7 |
| 2023 | 134.1 |
| 2024 | 134.3 |
Utilities: 132.5 in 2008, 114.2 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 132.5 |
| 2009 | 135.0 |
| 2010 | 130.4 |
| 2011 | 128.3 |
| 2012 | 126.4 |
| 2013 | 122.7 |
| 2014 | 111.2 |
| 2015 | 107.4 |
| 2016 | 112.0 |
| 2017 | 110.6 |
| 2018 | 113.3 |
| 2019 | 117.2 |
| 2020 | 120.7 |
| 2021 | 115.5 |
| 2022 | 105.5 |
| 2023 | 114.8 |
| 2024 | 114.2 |
Other services: 98.7 in 2008, 103.5 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.7 |
| 2009 | 104.7 |
| 2010 | 103.7 |
| 2011 | 104.3 |
| 2012 | 102.3 |
| 2013 | 101.7 |
| 2014 | 104.4 |
| 2015 | 103.9 |
| 2016 | 103.9 |
| 2017 | 106.5 |
| 2018 | 106.1 |
| 2019 | 107.3 |
| 2020 | 106.0 |
| 2021 | 107.3 |
| 2022 | 105.0 |
| 2023 | 104.5 |
| 2024 | 103.5 |
What incomes buy here
BEA divides personal income by local prices, so a dollar in a cheap state counts for more. This is income per resident (wages, benefits, investment income), not household or take-home pay.
After adjusting for prices, income per person in New Jersey is $63,142, 12th of 51
Real personal income per person, constant 2017 dollars (adjusted for local price levels and inflation).
- New Jersey
- United States
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, real personal income by state (SARPI), 2008–2024.
Show the numbers
| New Jersey | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $53,848 | $45,816 |
| 2009 | $50,560 | $44,204 |
| 2010 | $51,821 | $44,808 |
| 2011 | $52,218 | $45,957 |
| 2012 | $52,572 | $46,796 |
| 2013 | $52,221 | $46,358 |
| 2014 | $53,299 | $47,661 |
| 2015 | $55,179 | $49,396 |
| 2016 | $55,887 | $49,828 |
| 2017 | $56,587 | $51,006 |
| 2018 | $56,782 | $52,242 |
| 2019 | $58,774 | $53,683 |
| 2020 | $60,953 | $56,514 |
| 2021 | $64,279 | $59,365 |
| 2022 | $61,405 | $57,104 |
| 2023 | $62,191 | $58,088 |
| 2024 | $63,142 | $59,195 |
States with similar prices
- Maryland 105.0
- District of Columbia 109.9
- Washington 107.0
- New York 107.9
- Oregon 103.4
Sources and limits
- Price levels and real income: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Regional Price Parities and real personal income by state, 2008–2024. Last updated February 19, 2026: new statistics for 2024; revised statistics for 2008-2023. Downloaded 2026-10-21.
- Metro price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities by metro area. Typical rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- State figures average cities and rural areas. Taxes are not included. BEA figures lag by about 18 months.