Jersey City NJ vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Jersey City
28.7%
San Jose
29.0%
San Jose +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.1 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 28.7% | 29.0% | San Jose + |
| Black | 21.4% | 2.9% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
San Jose
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
San Jose
46.5%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 46.5% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $1,452,609 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
San Jose
14.9%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
San Jose
30.4 min
San Jose +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 30.4 min | San Jose + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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