Jersey City NJ vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Stamford
31.8%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 135,806 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.2 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 31.8% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 21.4% | 19.9% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 7.1% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 51.7% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $708,498 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1524 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.3% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Jersey City. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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