Jersey City NJ vs Laredo TX — 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%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Laredo
255,949
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Laredo
25.4%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 255,949 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 25.4% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 37.6% | Laredo + |
| Black | 21.4% | 0.5% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 0.5% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Laredo
$63,264
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Laredo
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $63,264 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $24,584 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 20.8% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 21.5% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Laredo
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Laredo
2339
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Laredo
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Laredo
13.1%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 42.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.4% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.3% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 35.7% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.1% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Laredo
20.2 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 74.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Laredo
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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