Jersey City NJ vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 154,751 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 10.2% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 21.4% | 20.0% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 2.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $51,339 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $27,054 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.2% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 25.3% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 19.7% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 326 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 39.6% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 21.1% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.7% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 17.5% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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