Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $978 in New Jersey versus $817 in Ohio. Overall, Ohio runs roughly 16% cheaper on rent than New Jersey, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $48,416 in New Jersey and $51,707 in Ohio — about 6% higher in Ohio. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.625%
5.75%
+0.9 pp in New Jersey
Income Tax (top rate)
10.75%
2.75%
+8.0 pp in New Jersey
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$978
$817
+16% in New Jersey
Median Home Value
$337,800
$215,300
+36% in New Jersey
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$48,416
$51,707
+7% in Ohio
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
54.9°F
52.7°F
+2.2°F in New Jersey
New Jersey vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in New Jersey or Ohio?
- Ohio is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $817 runs about 16% 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 New Jersey than in Ohio?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in New Jersey versus $33,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, New Jersey or Ohio?
- New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in New Jersey/Ohio — 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.