CostIndexUSA

Jersey City, NJ vs Mesa, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Jersey City
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableAZ
Mesa
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Mesa is moderately cheaper than Jersey City — 8.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jersey City, you would need $73,400 in Mesa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing18.4%
Jersey City
148.6
Mesa
121.2
🛒 Groceries13.9%
Jersey City
110.3
Mesa
95
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Jersey City
111.1
Mesa
109.2
🏥 Healthcare1.7%
Jersey City
100.5
Mesa
98.8
Utilities26.5%
Jersey City
127
Mesa
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Mesa, AZ
$73,400
$6,600 less needed in Mesa

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.9174. 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×

Mesa, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Jersey City has 18.4% lower housing costs compared to Mesa.

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

Mesa, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
518,012
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareRetailManufacturingAerospace

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)

Mesa, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.