Jersey City NJ vs Vallejo 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Jersey City +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 68,141 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 42.1 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 28.7% | 17.9% | Jersey City + |
| Black | 21.4% | 5.3% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 19.3% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Vallejo
$56,020
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Vallejo
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Vallejo
45.3%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $56,020 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 45.3% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Vallejo
$523,551
Vallejo +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $523,551 | Vallejo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Vallejo, 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%
Jersey City +
Vallejo
31.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Vallejo
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Vallejo
12.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 31.6% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.3% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Vallejo, 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Vallejo
36.0 min
Vallejo +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 36.0 min | Vallejo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, while vallejo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $523,551. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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