Jersey City NJ vs New Haven CT — 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
New Haven
17.7%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
New Haven
36.8%
New Haven +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 132,893 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 17.7% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 36.8% | New Haven + |
| Black | 21.4% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 5.2% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $53,771 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $34,482 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.7% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 25.0% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 37.7% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Jersey City +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 28.4% | Jersey City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
New Haven
1524
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1524 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 37.9% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.7% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.7% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.2% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Jersey City. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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