What does a Security Guards salary really buy you in New Jersey?
New Jersey is 8.8% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
New Jersey's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 108.8, meaning prices are 8.8% higher the national average. A Security Guards earning $38,720 in New Jersey has the equivalent purchasing power of $35,588 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $32,750 | $30,101 | $-2,648 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $35,360 | $32,500 | $-2,859 |
| Median (P50) | $38,720 | $35,588 | $-3,131 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $47,150 | $43,336 | $-3,813 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $60,500 | $55,606 | $-4,893 |
While $38,720 sounds high, New Jersey's elevated cost of living erases 8% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $35,588. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Security Guards salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
New Jersey ranks #45 out of 50 states for Security Guards after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Security Guards in New Jersey earns a median salary of $38,720 per year. After adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living (RPP=108.8), the real purchasing power is $35,588 — a -8.1% difference.
New Jersey's cost of living is 8.8% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for New Jersey is 108.8 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Security Guards in New Jersey: $38,720 x (100 / 108.8) = $35,588. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Security Guards's nominal salary of $38,720 in New Jersey has 8.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $35,588. However, New Jersey may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.