CostIndexUSA

Jersey City, NJ vs Sarasota, 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
Sarasota
102.4
overall index
$1,925/mo rent

Sarasota is moderately cheaper than Jersey City — 9.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jersey City, you would need $72,800 in Sarasota. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing13.9%
Jersey City
148.6
Sarasota
128
🛒 Groceries12.8%
Jersey City
110.3
Sarasota
96.2
🚗 Transportation6.6%
Jersey City
111.1
Sarasota
103.8
🏥 Healthcare6.6%
Jersey City
100.5
Sarasota
93.9
Utilities30.6%
Jersey City
127
Sarasota
88.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sarasota, FL
$72,800
$7,200 less needed in Sarasota

Formula: salary × (102.4 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.9094. 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×

Sarasota, FL

Median Home Price
$445,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,925
Housing Index
128
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.3×

Jersey City has 13.9% lower housing costs compared to Sarasota.

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

Sarasota, FL

Median Household Income
$78,900
Per Capita Income
$45,000
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
57,738
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareReal EstateFinanceArts

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)

Sarasota, 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.