Chicago, IL vs Jersey City, NJ
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
The headline difference between these two markets is housing: a typical home in Chicago runs $315,000 versus $535,000 in Jersey City, a 41% gap that dominates most relocation math. State income-tax burden also tilts toward Chicago — a top rate of 5.0% versus 10.8% — which compounds at higher incomes.
Median Home Value
$315,200 ✓
$534,500
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$653,809
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo ✓
$1,902/mo
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
28.8%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
23.4x
Median Household Income
$75,134
$94,813 ✓
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$57,746
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
5.8% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
15.6%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
40.6 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
28.1%
Public Transit %
19.3%
37.1%
Work From Home %
18.3%
21.6%
State Income Tax
5.0%
10.8%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
6.6% ✓
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
2.5%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
29.4%
Median Age
35.7
34.7
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
46.6"
Annual Snowfall
—
31.5"
Chicago, IL 2 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
Jersey City, NJ 3 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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