Jersey City NJ vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
New York
36.5%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
New York
35.9%
New York +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
New York
14.6%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.0 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 36.5% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 35.9% | New York + |
| Black | 21.4% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 14.6% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
New York
$79,713
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
New York
$50,776
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $79,713 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $50,776 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.7% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 17.4% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 41.0% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
New York
32.8%
New York +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $816,078 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 32.8% | New York + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
New York
1736
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 434 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1736 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
New York
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
New York
11.4%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.9% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 15.4% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.9% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.4% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Jersey City +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 44.2 min | Jersey City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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