Jersey City NJ vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.8 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 19.0% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 21.4% | 7.8% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 3.9% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $77,041 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $40,309 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 32.3% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 450 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2150 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Phoenix
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 32.3% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.2% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 17.3% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.2% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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