Category: Housing & Rentals
Jersey City's cost of living is substantially higher than Newark's, with the difference being almost entirely driven by housing costs. You can expect rent and home prices in Jersey City to be anywhere from 50% to over 100% more expensive, particularly in desirable areas like Downtown or The Heights. This single factor makes Jersey City a much more expensive place to live.
Beyond housing, other costs show a smaller, yet noticeable, difference. Your grocery bill will likely be 10-20% higher in Jersey City, and you will also spend more on entertainment and dining out. Transportation and utility costs are more comparable between the two cities. When you factor everything together, the overall cost of living in Jersey City runs about 35-50% higher than in Newark.