Jersey City NJ vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 102,558 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 7.2% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 21.4% | 12.9% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 2.7% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 22.4% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $58,568 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $31,987 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 17.4% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 25.0% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 35.4% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.8% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.9% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.8% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 28.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Jersey City, NJ vs New York, NYJersey City, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jersey City, NJHouston, TX vs Jersey City, NJJersey City, NJ vs Phoenix, AZJersey City, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA