Jersey City NJ vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Miami
34.2%
Miami +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 39.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 28.7% | 34.2% | Miami + |
| Black | 21.4% | 13.7% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 1.6% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Miami
$42,528
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Miami
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Miami
35.6%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $59,390 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $42,528 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 19.2% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 35.6% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Miami
$580,996
Miami +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Miami
30.7%
Miami +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $580,996 | Miami + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 30.7% | Miami + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Miami
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Miami
1453
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 324 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1453 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Miami
29.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Miami
15.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Miami
12.3%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 29.9% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.5% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 15.0% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 27.2% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Miami
29.9 min
Miami +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 29.9 min | Miami + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while miami offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,996. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Miami. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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