Glendale CA 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
Glendale
192,270
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Jersey City
41.3%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 41.3% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 28.7% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 15.6% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Glendale +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $664,939 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 28.8% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Jersey City
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 26.2% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 12.0% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Glendale +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 40.3 min | Glendale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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