Atlanta GA vs Jersey City NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 289,691 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.7 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 39.9% | 28.7% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 21.4% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Jersey City
$57,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Jersey City
53.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $57,746 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 53.1% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $664,939 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 28.8% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.0% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 40.3 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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