CostIndexUSA

Jersey City, NJ vs Panama City, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Jersey City
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Panama City
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Panama City is moderately cheaper than Jersey City — 13.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jersey City, you would need $69,100 in Panama City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing35.1%
Jersey City
148.6
Panama City
96.4
🛒 Groceries12.8%
Jersey City
110.3
Panama City
96.2
🚗 Transportation6.6%
Jersey City
111.1
Panama City
103.8
🏥 Healthcare6.6%
Jersey City
100.5
Panama City
93.9
Utilities30.6%
Jersey City
127
Panama City
88.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Panama City, FL
$69,100
$10,900 less needed in Panama City

Formula: salary × (97.3 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.8641. 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×

Panama City, FL

Median Home Price
$337,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
96.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Jersey City has 35.1% lower housing costs compared to Panama City.

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

Panama City, FL

Median Household Income
$69,700
Per Capita Income
$39,700
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
36,877
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareManufacturingRetail

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)

Panama City, FL
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.