Cambridge MA 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 34.7 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 57.5% | 28.7% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.5% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Jersey City
$94,813
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Jersey City
$57,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Jersey City
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Jersey City
53.1%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $94,813 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $57,746 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,416 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.8% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 15.6% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 53.1% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Cambridge +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $664,939 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Jersey City
1426
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1426 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Jersey City
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 26.2% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 9.6% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 12.0% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.3% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 40.3 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Cambridge. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
Compare More Cities
Cambridge, MA vs New York, NYCambridge, MA vs Los Angeles, CACambridge, MA vs Chicago, ILCambridge, MA vs Houston, TXCambridge, MA vs Phoenix, AZCambridge, MA vs Philadelphia, PA