Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 289,691 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.7 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 35.5% | 28.7% | Houston + |
| Black | 22.9% | 21.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 25.7% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $664,939 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 28.8% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 40.3 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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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