Is New York or New Jersey cheaper to live in?

It depends on which parts of New York and New Jersey you’re comparing.

• If you mean New York City vs. most of New Jersey: New Jersey is often cheaper, especially for housing, though commuting can add a lot if you work in NYC.
• If you mean the states as a whole: New York can be cheaper overall in some comparisons because upstate New York has much lower housing costs than the NYC area and can be cheaper than many parts of New Jersey.

A few general rules:

• Housing: NYC and nearby areas like Manhattan, Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Hoboken are expensive. Many inland or upstate parts of New York are much less expensive.
• Taxes: New Jersey has very high property taxes, while New York often has higher income taxes in many areas, especially if you live in NYC.
• Commuting: Living in New Jersey and commuting into New York City can add significant transit and toll costs.

So the short answer is: New Jersey is usually cheaper than New York City, but not necessarily cheaper than New York State overall. The cheapest option depends on the exact town or neighborhood.

If you’re deciding between specific places, compare rent/mortgage, property taxes, and commute costs for those exact zip codes.