Jersey City NJ vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Macon
18.3%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Macon
19.8%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 61,773 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.2 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 18.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 43.7% | Macon + |
| Black | 21.4% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 2.0% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 19.8% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Macon
$70,086
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Macon
$43,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Macon
46.8%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $70,086 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $43,074 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $57,405 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 46.8% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 47.2% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 392 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1752 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 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
Macon
30.2 min
Macon +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 30.2 min | Macon + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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