Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 289,691 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 36.7% | 28.7% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 21.4% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Cleveland +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $664,939 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 28.8% | Cleveland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
42.2%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 40.3 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. 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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