Is it cheaper to live in Jersey City or Meridian?

Meridian, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,690 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% 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 Meridian?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Jersey City versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Jersey City or Meridian?

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); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Jersey City vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Jersey City

New Jersey

$2,100/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Meridian, ID is roughly 20% 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 $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 4% higher in Meridian, ID. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Jersey City, NJ

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,949

$1,523

+22% in Jersey City, NJ

1 Bedroom

$1,853

$1,540

+17% in Jersey City, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,857

$1,489

+20% in Jersey City, NJ

3 Bedroom

$2,004

$1,893

+6% in Jersey City, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$534,500

$485,000

+9% in Jersey City, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$94,813

$98,686

+4% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$49,100

+20% in Jersey City, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

37.4 yr

+2.7 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

28.8%

76.1%

+47.3 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.1%

44.4%

+8.7 pp in Jersey City, NJ

Avg Commute

36.9 min

22.3 min

+14.6 min in Jersey City, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

562.9

150.3

+73% in Jersey City, NJ

Property Crime

2,036.4

583.5

+71% 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

52.5°F

+2.5°F in Jersey City, NJ

Annual Precipitation

49.9 in

11.7 in

+38.2 in in Jersey City, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Meridian, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

14.4

+42% in Jersey City, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.68

$11.33

+36% in Jersey City, NJ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Meridian, ID

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 / ID)

6.625%

+0.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

5.30%

+5.5 pp in NJ

Jersey City vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jersey City or Meridian?: Meridian, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,690 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% 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 Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Jersey City versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Jersey City or Meridian?: 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); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).