Jersey City NJ vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Medford
N/A
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Medford
N/A
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 28.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 21.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 25.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Medford
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,691 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Medford
$410,269
Medford +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $410,269 | Medford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Medford
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Medford
3001
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 355 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3001 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Medford
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Medford
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Medford
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Medford
10.4%
Medford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Medford
15.2%
Medford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Medford
13.6%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 33.0% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.9% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 19.1% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.4% | Medford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Medford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.6% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Medford
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Medford
18.4 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Medford
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Medford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $410,269. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Medford. 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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