Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 51.3% | 28.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 21.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Jersey City
$57,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $57,746 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 15.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $664,939 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 40.3 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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