Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 289,691 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 53.3% | 28.7% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 21.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $664,939 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 28.8% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
34.7%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.0% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 40.3 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA