Jersey City NJ vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
San Diego
17.6%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.0 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 24.8% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 21.4% | 5.7% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 17.6% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
San Diego
$54,678
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
San Diego
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $54,678 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 49.9% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $1,006,261 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.5% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.9% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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