Jersey City NJ vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Pasadena
17.0%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 125,983 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.5 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 19.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 21.4% | 18.1% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 17.0% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 25.4% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Pasadena
$49,845
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Pasadena
47.4%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $49,845 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 47.4% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pasadena, 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 +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 39.1% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.8% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 32.1% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.1% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.6% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
36.1 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 36.1 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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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