CostIndexUSA

Hartford, CT vs Jersey City, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCT
Hartford
102.7
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
NJ
Jersey City
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Hartford is moderately cheaper than Jersey City — 9.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Hartford, you would need $87,700 in Jersey City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+34.8%
Hartford
110.2
Jersey City
148.6
🛒 Groceries+13.4%
Hartford
97.3
Jersey City
110.3
🚗 Transportation+3.1%
Hartford
107.8
Jersey City
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+3.1%
Hartford
97.5
Jersey City
100.5
Utilities12.4%
Hartford
144.9
Jersey City
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Jersey City, NJ
$87,700
$7,700 more needed in Jersey City

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 102.7) = salary × 1.0964. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Hartford, CT

Median Home Price
$377,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
110.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

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 34.8% higher housing costs compared to Hartford.

Income & Job Market

Hartford, CT

Median Household Income
$92,200
Per Capita Income
$52,600
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
121,054
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareGovernmentEducation

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).

Hartford, CT
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.