Jersey City NJ vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 220,482 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.3 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 12.2% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 21.4% | 10.5% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 8.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 13.1% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $83,857 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $44,756 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 33.5% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 37.3% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.7% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.9% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma 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%.
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