Jersey City NJ vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 22.4% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 21.4% | 6.0% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 8.3% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Riverside
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $88,575 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $33,716 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.0% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $648,603 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 36.7% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.2% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.5% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.6% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.5% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Riverside
10.3 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Riverside
34.1 min
Riverside +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 34.1 min | Riverside + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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