Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Jersey City
28.7%
Jersey City +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 289,691 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 27.4% | 28.7% | Jersey City + |
| Black | 60.0% | 21.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $664,939 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 28.8% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.0% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.3% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 40.3 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Baltimore, MD vs New York, NYBaltimore, MD vs Los Angeles, CABaltimore, MD vs Chicago, ILBaltimore, MD vs Houston, TXBaltimore, MD vs Phoenix, AZBaltimore, MD vs Philadelphia, PA