Jersey City NJ vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Sunnyvale +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 153,455 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.1 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 28.7% | 30.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Black | 21.4% | 1.5% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 16.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $2,144,024 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 43.8% | Sunnyvale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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