Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 65.7% | 28.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 25.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Jersey City
$94,813
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $94,813 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 15.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $664,939 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 28.8% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.3% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 40.3 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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