Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

Jersey City is a large city in New Jersey with a population of 289,691. Residents earn $94,813 per year, which is 26% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
289,691 Population 19,640/sq mi density
$94,813 Median Income $57,746 per capita
$534,500 Home Value $653,810 Zillow
$1,902 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
531 Violent Crime/100K 1,631 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$94,813 median income, 4.1% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.5 / 5.0
$534,500 home value, $1,902/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
531 violent crimes/100K (40% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
53.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $94,813
26% higher than US avg
Home Value $534,500
90% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 531/100K
40% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 53.1%
58% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,902
64% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.6%
17% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.1%
2% lower than US avg

How Jersey City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population289,691
Median Age34.7 yrs
Density19,640/mi²
Male / Female51% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 29%

Economy

A
Median Income$94,813
Per Capita$57,746
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty12.1%
County GDP$65,736M
Commute37 min

Housing

B
Home Value$534,500
Rent$1,902
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$653,810

Crime

F
Violent531/100K
Property1,631/100K
Murder9.2/100K
Assault270/100K
Burglary341/100K

Health

Obesity26.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression13.3%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain59.9 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation30 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+53.1%
High School+90.5%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 35% / D 63%
Commute37 min
EV Stations65
Libraries25

Is Jersey City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Jersey City receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs, long commute times. Jersey City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Jersey City is $94,813, 26% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Jersey City is $534,500, making it a premium housing market at 90% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,902 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 531 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,631 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Jersey City is a highly educated community — 53.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 90.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Jersey City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 59.9 inches, including 8.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Jersey City has a population of 289,691 with a density of 19,640 people per square mile. The median age is 34.7 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (28.7%), with 1.7% Hispanic, 21.5% Black.

Population

289,691
Total Population
19,640
People / sq mi
34.7yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
14.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.5%
Female 49.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Jersey City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only48.6%
38% below US avg
Spanish51.4%
284% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Jersey City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Jersey City is $94,813, which is 26% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes.

Income: Jersey City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$94,813
26% above US avg
Per Capita Income$57,746
Avg Weekly Wage$1,825
IRS Avg AGI$95,813

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.1%
2% below US avg
Establishments (County)19,208
County GDP$65,736M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,717
Healthcare1,603
Retail2,080
Manufacturing335

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,434
198% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time36.9 min
Work from Home21.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Jersey City is $534,500, 90% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,902 (64% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $653,810.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$534,500
90% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$653,810
Median List Price$777,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$777,000
$/Sq Ft$566
Homes Sold130
Sale-to-List Ratio98.8%
Price Drops12.2%
Inventory566

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,902
64% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,048

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,599
1 Bedroom$1,759
2 Bedrooms$2,132
3 Bedrooms$2,658
4 Bedrooms$3,005

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied28.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,434
198% above US avg
Effective Rate1.95%
In Jersey City, 26.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 13.3% report depression. 27.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Jersey City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.6%
17% below US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure30.2%
Asthma8.6%
COPD4.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.0%
Physical Inactivity27.5%
Depression13.3%
Mental Distress14.2%
Physical Distress12.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.1%
Checkup Rate77.3%
Premature Death6,244/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access100.0%
Healthcare Facilities1,603
Jersey City has a violent crime rate of 531 per 100,000 residents, 40% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,631 per 100,000 (17% below US avg). The murder rate is 9.2 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Jersey City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent531.1/100K
40% above US avg
Murder9.2/100K
47% above US avg
Rape13.5/100K
Robbery238.5/100K
Assault270.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,630.7/100K
17% below US avg
Burglary341.2/100K
Theft1,078.4/100K
Vehicle Theft211.2/100K
Arson14.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Jersey City has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 59.9 inches. The area enjoys 276 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average55.4°F
3% above US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall59.9 inches
58% above US avg
Snowfall8.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation30 ft (9 m)
Area14.8 sq mi (38.2 km²)
Population Density19,640/sq mi
Coordinates40.7114°N, 74.0648°W
County FIPS34017
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 53.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 28.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 34.6%
D 62.6%

Winner: Democrat by 28.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+53.1%
58% above US avg
High School+90.5%
School Test Score6.24
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density19,640/sq mi
Total Area14.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations65
Alt Fuel Stations67
Public Libraries25
Healthcare Facilities1,603
Restaurants1,717
Retail Stores2,080

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute36.9 min
Work from Home21.6%

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