Northeast ranking
7 New Jersey cities ranked by cost of living, cheapest first.
Index 93
Index 142
Sorted by cost-of-living index — lowest (most affordable) first.
| # | City | Cost index | Median rent | Median income | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trenton | 93 | $1,177/mo | $44,444 | 90K | Compare → |
| 2 | Newark | 100 | $1,273/mo | $46,460 | 307K | Compare → |
| 3 | Elizabeth | 110 | $1,390/mo | $59,939 | 136K | Compare → |
| 4 | Paterson | 110 | $1,392/mo | $52,092 | 158K | Compare → |
| 5 | Toms River | 126 | $1,592/mo | $92,012 | 93K | Compare → |
| 6 | Clifton | 129 | $1,633/mo | $94,179 | 89K | Compare → |
| 7 | Jersey City | 142 | $1,799/mo | $91,151 | 288K | Compare → |
Across New Jersey, Trenton is the most affordable city we track (cost index 93, with median rent around $1,177/mo), while Jersey City sits at the top of the range with an index of 142—roughly 53% pricier than Trenton. Use the table above to compare any New Jersey city directly against Trenton.
The other end of the ranking — priciest first.