Jersey City NJ vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 242,169 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 49.2 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 11.2% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 21.4% | 2.0% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 5.1% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 9.4% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $858,307 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 450 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2150 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 26.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°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
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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