New Jersey
NJNortheast · 5 cities tracked · Updated 2026
New Jersey is more expensive than the national average. Across the 5 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 127 (US = 100) and typical rent averages $2,350 a month, 22% above the national figure of $1,932.
State Averages
Avg Gas Price
$4.03
Regular unleaded
Avg Rent
$2,350
All units/mo
Avg COL Index
127
vs. 100 national avg
New Jersey Cost of Living Analysis
Where the money goes
The biggest cost pressure in New Jersey is electricity, at 33% above the national average.
Rent trend
Rent rose an average of 4.5% over the past year across the 5 cities we track, faster than the 2.7% national change. Atlantic City saw the biggest move (up 6.6%), while Trenton was up just 2.4%.
City to city
Where you live inside New Jersey matters. Typical rent runs from $1,649 in Vineland to $3,546 in Newark, a gap of $1,897 a month or about $22,764 a year.
Affordability
Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 46% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks the 11th highest of 51 states. Median household income there averages $96,082 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).
Energy and driving
Regular gas costs $4.03 a gallon, 1% above the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $222 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $2,580 a year versus $2,150.
Groceries
Grocery prices in the Northeast rose 1.6% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.
Built from the AAA, Zillow, EIA, Bankrate, BLS and Census data on this site. National comparisons use typical rent of $1,932 a month and gas of $3.98 a gallon. See the methodology.
Cities in New Jersey
Median Household Income by County
Source: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · 21 counties
| County | Median Income |
|---|---|
| 1Hunterdon County | $139,453 |
| 2Somerset County | $135,960 |
| 3Morris County | $134,929 |
| 4Bergen County | $123,715 |
| 5Monmouth County | $122,727 |
| 6Sussex County | $114,316 |
| 7Middlesex County | $109,028 |
| 8Burlington County | $105,271 |
| 9Gloucester County | $102,807 |
| 10Union County | $100,117 |
| 11Warren County | $99,596 |
| 12Mercer County | $96,333 |
| 13Hudson County | $90,032 |
| 14Cape May County | $88,046 |
| 15Passaic County | $87,137 |
| 16Ocean County | $86,411 |
| 17Camden County | $86,384 |
| 18Salem County | $78,412 |
| 19Atlantic County | $76,819 |
| 20Essex County | $76,712 |
| 21Cumberland County | $64,499 |
New Jersey Cost of Living FAQ
Is New Jersey expensive to live in?
New Jersey is about 27% more expensive than the national average. Across the 5 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 127, where 100 is the US average.
What is the average rent in New Jersey?
Typical rent in New Jersey averages $2,350 a month across the 5 cities we track as of September 2026, 22% above the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks the 4th highest of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.
What is the cheapest city to live in New Jersey?
Of the 5 cities we track in New Jersey, Trenton has the lowest cost of living index at 118. The lowest typical rent is in Vineland, at $1,649 a month.
What is the most expensive city in New Jersey?
Atlantic City has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in New Jersey, at 130. The highest typical rent is in Newark, at $3,546 a month.
How much is gas in New Jersey?
Regular unleaded averages $4.03 a gallon in New Jersey as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 1% above the national average of $3.98. That is near the middle of 51 states.
Is rent going up in New Jersey?
Rent in New Jersey rose an average of 4.5% over the past year across the 5 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.
How much is electricity in New Jersey?
Residential electricity in New Jersey averages 24.6 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $222.
How much is car insurance in New Jersey?
Full coverage car insurance in New Jersey averages $2,580 a year, or about $215 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is the 9th highest of 51 states.