Jersey City NJ vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 115,415 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.9 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 14.8% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 21.4% | 5.3% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 4.6% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 13.5% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $77,415 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $44,220 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $75,331 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 33.5% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 35.0% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.4% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.9% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Jersey City. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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