CostIndexUSA

Jersey City, NJ vs Tacoma, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Jersey City
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableWA
Tacoma
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Tacoma is slightly cheaper than Jersey City — 1.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jersey City, you would need $78,900 in Tacoma. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+1.8%
Jersey City
148.6
Tacoma
151.3
🛒 Groceries5.7%
Jersey City
110.3
Tacoma
104
🚗 Transportation+1.0%
Jersey City
111.1
Tacoma
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Jersey City
100.5
Tacoma
101.5
Utilities26.9%
Jersey City
127
Tacoma
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$78,900
$1,100 less needed in Tacoma

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.9867. 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×

Tacoma, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Tacoma has 1.8% higher housing costs compared to Jersey 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

Tacoma, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
219,346
Top Industries
MilitaryManufacturingHealthcareLogisticsRetail

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)

Tacoma, WA
4.2×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.