Jersey City NJ vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 124,865 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.4 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 4.8% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 21.4% | 1.6% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 2.1% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 9.5% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $47,751 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $57,074 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 44.4% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Meridian
251
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 251 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Meridian
10.3%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 28.8% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 15.5% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.6% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.3% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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