Is it cheaper to live in Jersey City or Laramie?

Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 58% below Jersey City, NJ's $2,100, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Jersey City than in Laramie?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Jersey City versus $29,000 in Laramie.

Which has lower taxes, Jersey City or Laramie?

Jersey City is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Laramie under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Jersey City vs Laramie Cost of Living 2026

Jersey City

New Jersey

$2,100/mo est.

Laramie

Wyoming

$890/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,100 in Jersey City, NJ versus $890 in Laramie, WY. Overall, Laramie, WY is roughly 58% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Jersey City, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,813 in Jersey City, NJ and $52,414 in Laramie, WY — about 45% higher in Jersey City, NJ. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Jersey City, NJ

Laramie, WY

Rent

Studio

$1,949

$667

+66% in Jersey City, NJ

1 Bedroom

$1,853

$728

+61% in Jersey City, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,857

$883

+52% in Jersey City, NJ

3 Bedroom

$2,004

$1,423

+29% in Jersey City, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$534,500

$302,200

+43% in Jersey City, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$94,813

$52,414

+45% in Jersey City, NJ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

26.9 yr

+7.8 yr in Jersey City, NJ

Homeownership

28.8%

44.1%

+15.3 pp in Laramie, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.1%

55.8%

+2.7 pp in Laramie, WY

Avg Commute

36.9 min

13.5 min

+23.4 min in Jersey City, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

562.9

129.6

+77% in Jersey City, NJ

Property Crime

2,036.4

1,175.9

+42% in Jersey City, NJ

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

55.0°F

41.0°F

+14.0°F in Jersey City, NJ

Annual Precipitation

49.9 in

10.9 in

+39.0 in in Jersey City, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Laramie, WY

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

15.2

+39% in Jersey City, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.68

$18.28

+3% in Laramie, WY

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Laramie, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Laramie, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Laramie, WY

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Jersey City, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / WY)

6.625%

+2.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

None

+10.8 pp in NJ

Jersey City vs Laramie — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jersey City or Laramie?: Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 58% below Jersey City, NJ's $2,100, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jersey City than in Laramie?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Jersey City versus $29,000 in Laramie.
Which has lower taxes, Jersey City or Laramie?: Jersey City is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Laramie under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).