Fort Worth TX 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 Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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 Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 289,691 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.7 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 47.7% | 28.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 19.5% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 25.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.8% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 15.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $664,939 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 28.8% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Fort Worth +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 40.3 min | Fort Worth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Fort Worth. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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