Jersey City NJ vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 82,506 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 48.4 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 12.9% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 21.4% | 8.8% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 3.7% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 14.4% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $60,465 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $36,322 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 26.8% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Lakeland
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Lakeland
1453
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 324 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1453 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 38.9% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.3% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.3% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.4% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.1% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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