Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
41.3%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
25.8%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 289,691 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 41.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 28.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 21.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 25.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 25.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
$94,813
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
$57,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
53.1%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $94,813 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $57,746 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 53.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $664,939 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 28.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Jersey City
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 14.9% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 40.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Grand Island. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Island, NE vs New York, NYGrand Island, NE vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Island, NEGrand Island, NE vs Houston, TXGrand Island, NE vs Phoenix, AZGrand Island, NE vs Philadelphia, PA