Jersey City NJ vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Portland
12.4%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.6 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 12.4% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 21.4% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 8.1% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 11.3% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Portland
$55,312
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $88,792 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $55,312 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,691 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 355 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3001 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 28.5% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.3% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.7% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.7% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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