Jersey City NJ vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Madison
11.6%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 275,568 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 11.6% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 21.4% | 7.1% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 8.0% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 9.3% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $76,983 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $48,557 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $61,837 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 16.2% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 309 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 32.7% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.5% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 20.8% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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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