Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 83.6% | 28.7% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $664,939 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 28.8% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Jersey City
1426
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1426 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Jersey City
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Jersey City
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 40.3 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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