Jersey City NJ vs Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
29.1%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 11,627 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 29.1% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 21.4% | 15.3% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 3.5% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $57,003 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.5% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $472,888 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
1453
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami Gardens, 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 Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 34.3% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.3% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.5% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 22.4% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 15.4% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 29.2 min | Miami Gardens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Miami Gardens. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Miami Gardens 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%.
Compare More Cities
Jersey City, NJ vs New York, NYJersey City, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jersey City, NJHouston, TX vs Jersey City, NJJersey City, NJ vs Phoenix, AZJersey City, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA