Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $916 in Georgia versus $978 in New Jersey. Overall, Georgia runs roughly 6% cheaper on rent than New Jersey, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $56,622 in Georgia and $48,416 in New Jersey — about 14% higher in Georgia. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
6.625%
+2.6 pp in New Jersey
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
10.75%
+5.6 pp in New Jersey
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$916
$978
+7% in New Jersey
Median Home Value
$182,300
$337,800
+85% in New Jersey
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$56,622
$48,416
+14% in Georgia
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
65.2°F
54.9°F
+10.3°F in Georgia
Georgia vs New Jersey — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or New Jersey?
- Georgia is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $916 runs about 6% below New Jersey's $978, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Georgia than in New Jersey?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Georgia versus $39,000 in New Jersey.
- Which has lower taxes, Georgia or New Jersey?
- Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/1 cities we track in Georgia/New Jersey — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.