Jersey City NJ vs Torrance 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Torrance
28.7%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Torrance
34.8%
Torrance +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Torrance
22.0%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 95,358 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.2 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 28.7% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 34.8% | Torrance + |
| Black | 21.4% | 6.1% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 22.0% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Torrance
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $42,884 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $1,128,110 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Torrance, 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%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Jersey City +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 44.9 min | Jersey City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, 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 Torrance. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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