Jersey City NJ vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
20.9%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
6.9%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.5 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 20.9% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 21.4% | 11.9% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 6.9% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $70,723 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $38,421 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $62,696 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.2% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 27.3% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $426,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 460 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2417 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 32.4% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.5% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 19.5% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 17.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Las Vegas
5.1 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 5.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 27.7 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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