Jersey City NJ vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 9.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 21.4% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 4.2% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $64,137 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $43,590 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,080 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 19.5% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 47.8% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pittsburgh, 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%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. 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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