Jersey City NJ vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 170,013 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 13.9% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 21.4% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 4.0% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Lancaster
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $76,083 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $29,766 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.1% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 20.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 30.6% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 19.3% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.9% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.0% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 33.0 min | Lancaster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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