Jersey City NJ vs Kent 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Kent
14.1%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 84,389 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.8 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 14.1% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 21.4% | 2.3% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 1.9% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Kent
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $72,867 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $35,662 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 27.0% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $657,911 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kent, 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%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Kent
10.3%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.2% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.3% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while kent offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $657,911. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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