Jersey City NJ vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 100,731 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.0 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 20.7% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 21.4% | 6.0% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 1.5% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 24.5% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $56,025 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $30,475 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 19.9% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 16.8% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
New Bedford
40.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 40.0% | New Bedford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 326 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 36.3% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.2% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 22.0% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in New Bedford. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and New Bedford 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