Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 289,691 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.7 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 49.4% | 28.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 21.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Cincinnati +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $664,939 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 28.8% | Cincinnati + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 40.3 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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