CostIndexUSA

El Paso, TX vs Jersey City, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
El Paso
89.9
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
NJ
Jersey City
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

El Paso is significantly cheaper than Jersey City — 25.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in El Paso, you would need $100,200 in Jersey City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+108.7%
El Paso
71.2
Jersey City
148.6
🛒 Groceries+17.6%
El Paso
93.8
Jersey City
110.3
🚗 Transportation+9.9%
El Paso
101.1
Jersey City
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+10.0%
El Paso
91.4
Jersey City
100.5
Utilities+53.8%
El Paso
82.6
Jersey City
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Jersey City, NJ
$100,200
$20,200 more needed in Jersey City

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 89.9) = salary × 1.2525. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

El Paso, TX

Median Home Price
$226,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
71.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.6×

Jersey City, NJ

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

Jersey City has 108.7% higher housing costs compared to El Paso.

Income & Job Market

El Paso, TX

Median Household Income
$59,000
Per Capita Income
$33,600
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
678,815
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryHealthcareRetailManufacturing

Jersey City, NJ

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

El Paso, TX
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Jersey City, 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.