Jersey City NJ vs Kennewick WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Kennewick
22.3%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Kennewick
14.8%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 23,594 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 22.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 21.4% | 3.1% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 14.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 10.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Kennewick
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $433,399 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Kennewick
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 383 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3409 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Kennewick
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Kennewick
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Kennewick
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Kennewick
11.6%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 37.4% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.4% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.1% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.6% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Kennewick
7.7 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Kennewick
32.4 min
Kennewick +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 32.4 min | Kennewick + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while kennewick offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $433,399. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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