Jersey City NJ vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 209,720 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 8.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 21.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 3.2% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 20.0% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $46,628 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $30,451 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.9% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 26.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 29.9% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Rochester
37.2%
Rochester +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 37.2% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 434 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1736 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Rochester
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 38.0% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.3% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.8% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.6% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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