Jersey City NJ vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 44,998 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 57.8 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 17.2% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 21.4% | 5.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 4.5% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 24.3% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Palmdale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Palmdale
45.1%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $71,979 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.2% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 45.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $503,393 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Palmdale, 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 +
Palmdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 30.3% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.6% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.7% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.1% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Palmdale
7.4 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Palmdale 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%.
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