Jersey City NJ vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Plano
28.7%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Plano
22.6%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 287,339 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 39.3 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 28.7% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 21.4% | 9.0% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 22.6% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 16.2% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $507,575 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Plano, 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 +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 31.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Plano, 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Plano, 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
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, 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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