Jersey City NJ vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.2 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 11.2% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 21.4% | 4.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 2.5% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $78,779 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $39,586 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 31.5% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 450 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2150 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Mesa
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 30.7% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 15.5% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.4% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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