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New York vs Jersey City: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

New York is 27% more expensive than Jersey City. New York is 17% safer. New York population: 8,584,629. Jersey City population: 302,013.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingJersey City
SafetyNew York
HousingJersey City

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: New York vs Jersey City

Jersey City is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 150 vs 190 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 40 index points.

CategoryNew YorkJersey City
Overall Index190150
Housing$5,340/moIndex: 300$4,272/moIndex: 240
Groceries$472/moIndex: 115$443/moIndex: 108
Transportation$438/moIndex: 125$403/moIndex: 115
Healthcare$358/moIndex: 112$346/moIndex: 108
Utilities$220/moIndex: 100$231/moIndex: 105

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: New York vs Jersey City

New York is 17% safer overall, with a crime rate of 19.8 per 1,000 residents vs Jersey City's 23.9. New York earns a B- safety grade compared to Jersey City's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

B-

New York

New York

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB
Crime Rate19.8/1K
TrendStable
C+

Jersey City

New Jersey

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate23.9/1K
TrendDeclining
MetricNew YorkJersey City
Overall Crime Rate19.8/1K23.9/1K
Violent Crime Rate380.0390.2
Property Crime Rate1600.02004.4
Murder Rate5.86.2
Assault Rate307.2285.1
Robbery Rate78.062.2
Burglary Rate209.6351.9
Theft Rate1317.51270.8
Vehicle Theft Rate222.6277.0

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In New York, you have a 1 in 51 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 42 in Jersey City.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for New York. A full comparison requires both cities.

New York Climate Overview

Annual High62.7°F
Annual Low47.3°F
Annual Rain49.0"
Annual Snow24.8"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York cheaper than Jersey City?
Jersey City is 27% more affordable than New York, with a cost of living index of 150 vs 190 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $5,340/mo in New York vs $4,272/mo in Jersey City.
Is New York safer than Jersey City?
New York is 17% safer overall, with a crime rate of 19.8 per 1,000 residents vs Jersey City's 23.9. New York earns a B- safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to New York or Jersey City?
It depends on your priorities. New York is safer (B- grade). Jersey City is more affordable (index 150 vs 190). New York has a population of 8,584,629 and Jersey City has 302,013. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is New York compared to Jersey City?
New York has a population of 8,584,629 and Jersey City has 302,013. New York is 2742% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in New York or Jersey City?
Housing is cheaper in Jersey City. Estimated monthly housing costs: New York $5,340/mo vs Jersey City $4,272/mo. That's based on a housing index of 300 vs 240 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

B-
New York Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Jersey City Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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