Jersey City NJ vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Reno
16.1%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 268,959 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.3 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 16.1% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 21.4% | 3.2% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 7.0% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 24.6% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $78,448 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $45,180 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $62,696 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 35.7% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 460 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2417 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 28.4% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.5% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.9% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.8% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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