Jersey City NJ vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Odessa
14.5%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 114,080 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 14.5% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 21.4% | 6.8% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 1.9% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Odessa
$73,030
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Odessa
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $73,030 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $35,655 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 18.3% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 39.4% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.9% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.0% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 25.4% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.1% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.0% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Odessa
13.5 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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