Jersey City NJ vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 105,460 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.6 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 5.1% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 21.4% | 1.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 1.7% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 7.5% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $70,722 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $35,235 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 24.8% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 383 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3409 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 35.1% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.5% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.1% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.2% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.4% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane Valley. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Jersey City, NJ vs New York, NYJersey City, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jersey City, NJHouston, TX vs Jersey City, NJJersey City, NJ vs Phoenix, AZJersey City, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA