Jersey City NJ vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Modesto
18.7%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Modesto
7.4%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 218,614 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.4 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 18.7% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 21.4% | 4.7% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 7.4% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Modesto
$77,899
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Modesto
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $77,899 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $34,656 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.3% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 20.3% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 36.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.1% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 19.0% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.5% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.7% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Modesto
13.1 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 30.5 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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