Jersey City NJ vs Long Beach 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Long Beach
24.7%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Long Beach
12.8%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.8 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 24.7% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 41.6% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 21.4% | 11.9% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 12.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Long Beach
$83,969
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Long Beach
$42,370
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Long Beach
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Long Beach
34.8%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $83,969 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $42,370 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.5% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 34.8% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Long Beach
40.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $862,599 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 40.9% | Long Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Long Beach
2388
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Long Beach, 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 +
Long Beach
27.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Long Beach
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Long Beach
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Long Beach
11.9%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 27.4% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.7% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.5% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.9% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Long Beach
12.3 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Long Beach
32.6 min
Long Beach +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 32.6 min | Long Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Long Beach. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Long Beach 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%.
Compare More Cities
Jersey City, NJ vs New York, NYJersey City, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jersey City, NJHouston, TX vs Jersey City, NJJersey City, NJ vs Phoenix, AZJersey City, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA