Jersey City, New Jersey
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Jersey City.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Jersey City?
For relocators asking how much Jersey City costs: the housing index sits at 159 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $534,500 and rents near $1,902. Local median income is about $94,813 and unemployment recently ran 4.2% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 38 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 522.7 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 159U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $534,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,902U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $94,813U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.2%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 38 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 522.7per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 83°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Jersey City compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 302,824City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $94,813Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year21% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 159ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year59% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $534,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year76% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,902City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year41% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.2%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 38 min52% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 8793% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 522.7annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)11% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1903.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)38% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 83°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 30°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 49.5 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals50% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 240As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Jersey City grew 21.9% from 248,324 in 2010 to 302,824 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Jersey City expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Jersey City's housing cost index is 159 versus 100 nationally — well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($534,500 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,902 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 159 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $534,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,902 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Jersey City?
Typical ownership costs center near $534,500, while median gross rent is about $1,902 a month. Against a median household income of $94,813, rent alone is roughly 24% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $534,500
- Median rent $1,902/month
- Median household income $94,813
What is the job market like in Jersey City?
County unemployment recently ran 4.2% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Jersey City is about $94,813 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 4.2% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $94,813
How long is the typical commute in Jersey City?
Average one-way commute time is about 38 minutes, with Walk Score near 87/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 38 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 87/100
Is Jersey City safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 522.7 per 100k and property about 1903.9 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 522.7 per 100k
- Property 1903.9 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Jersey City?
Normals show summer highs near 83°F, winter lows near 30°F, about 49.5 inches of rain, and roughly 240 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 83°F
- Winter low 30°F
- 49.5 in rain · 240 sunny days
Jersey City (pop. 302,824) sits in New Jersey. Households here report a median income near $94,813; our housing-derived cost index is about 159 (well above the national housing-cost baseline). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $534,500 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Dense suburbs, port logistics, and quick Manhattan access define many towns. Pack for 83°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 30°F. Commutes average near 38 minutes one-way, with walkability near 87/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.2% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 522.7 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Jersey City is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Jersey City with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Jersey City city, 1600000US3436000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Hudson County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00094728 NEW YORK CNTRL PK TWR) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10