Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 289,691 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 62.9% | 28.7% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 25.7% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Jersey City
$57,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Jersey City
53.1%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $57,746 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.8% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 15.6% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 53.1% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $664,939 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 28.8% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Jersey City
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 26.2% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.6% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.3% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 40.3 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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