CostIndexUSA

Jersey City, NJ vs Lincoln, NE Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Jersey City
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableNE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Lincoln is significantly cheaper than Jersey City — 18.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jersey City, you would need $65,100 in Lincoln. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing43.3%
Jersey City
148.6
Lincoln
84.2
🛒 Groceries14.7%
Jersey City
110.3
Lincoln
94.1
🚗 Transportation12.2%
Jersey City
111.1
Lincoln
97.6
🏥 Healthcare12.1%
Jersey City
100.5
Lincoln
88.3
Utilities39.5%
Jersey City
127
Lincoln
76.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lincoln, NE
$65,100
$14,900 less needed in Lincoln

Formula: salary × (91.6 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.8135. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Jersey City, NJ

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

Lincoln, NE

Median Home Price
$289,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
84.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9×

Jersey City has 43.3% lower housing costs compared to Lincoln.

Income & Job Market

Jersey City, NJ

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

Lincoln, NE

Median Household Income
$71,200
Per Capita Income
$40,600
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
289,102
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentFinanceManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

Jersey City, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% of income left after rent (median)

Lincoln, NE
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.