Jersey City NJ vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.4 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 9.1% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 21.4% | 18.9% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 7.2% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 8.9% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $90,685 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $47,372 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $69,581 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 40.4% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 240 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1726 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 36.5% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.7% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.1% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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