Is it cheaper to live in Jersey City or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 54% 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 Springfield?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Jersey City versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Jersey City or Springfield?

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); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Jersey City vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Jersey City

New Jersey

$2,100/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$970/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 $970 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 54% 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 $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 52% higher in Jersey City, NJ. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Jersey City, NJ

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$1,949

$760

+61% in Jersey City, NJ

1 Bedroom

$1,853

$772

+58% in Jersey City, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,857

$926

+50% in Jersey City, NJ

3 Bedroom

$2,004

$1,158

+42% in Jersey City, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$534,500

$165,200

+69% in Jersey City, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$94,813

$45,984

+52% in Jersey City, NJ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$45,780

+25% in Jersey City, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

33.6 yr

+1.1 yr in Jersey City, NJ

Homeownership

28.8%

42.9%

+14.1 pp in Springfield, MO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.1%

30.3%

+22.8 pp in Jersey City, NJ

Avg Commute

36.9 min

18.0 min

+18.9 min in Jersey City, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

562.9

1,189.8

+111% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

2,036.4

4,231.6

+108% in Springfield, MO

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

56.3°F

+1.3°F in Springfield, MO

Annual Precipitation

49.9 in

45.6 in

+4.4 in in Jersey City, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Jersey City, NJ

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

16.2

+35% in Jersey City, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.68

$28.78

+63% in Springfield, MO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Jersey City, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Jersey City, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Jersey City, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Jersey City, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / MO)

6.625%

4.225%

+2.4 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

4.70%

+6.0 pp in NJ

Jersey City vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jersey City or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 54% 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 Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Jersey City versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Jersey City or Springfield?: 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); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% 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).