Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Jersey City
28.7%
Jersey City +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 289,691 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 11.7% | 28.7% | Jersey City + |
| Black | 76.8% | 21.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $664,939 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 28.8% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.0% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.3% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 40.3 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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