Jersey City NJ vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.1 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 14.6% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 21.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 7.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 15.2% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $60,698 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $37,669 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,080 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.4% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 22.0% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 34.6% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 319 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1613 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 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
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 34.5 min | Philadelphia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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