Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 289,691 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.7 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 59.9% | 28.7% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 25.7% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Jersey City
$57,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Jersey City
53.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $57,746 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.8% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 15.6% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 53.1% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $664,939 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 28.8% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.6% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.3% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 40.3 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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