Jersey City
New Jersey
Pop. 287,899
VS
Newark
New Jersey
Pop. 307,355

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

55
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
61
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
Jersey City wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Newark wins 2–1 overall (61/100)
💰 Newark is more affordable
💼 Newark has lower unemployment
🛡️ Jersey City has fewer disasters

📋 Jersey City vs Newark — The Verdict

Jersey City scores 55.8/100 compared to Newark's 61.5/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Newark has a clear edge with home prices 38% lower. Newark may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Newark are 38% lower — a difference of $187,800 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Newark saves you $526/month — that's $6,312 per year.
💵
Households in Jersey City earn $44,691 more per year (96% higher median income).
🛡️
Jersey City has experienced 4 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Jersey City vs Newark: Cost of Living Comparison
25
vs
65
Median Home Value
$500,100
$312,300
Median Rent /mo
$1,799
$1,273
Median Income
$91,151
$46,460
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Newark offers home prices 38% lower than Jersey City, translating to $187,800 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Jersey City vs Newark: Job Market & Salaries
40
vs
25
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
5.4%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Jersey City vs Newark: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Jersey City vs Newark: Air Quality & Environment
100
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
17 Good
17 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Jersey City vs Newark: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Jersey City vs Newark: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
11
15
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
High
High
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Jersey City to Newark: Common Questions

Is Jersey City or Newark cheaper to live in?
Newark is more affordable overall. Home prices are $187,800 lower in Newark. Monthly rent is $1,273 in Newark vs $1,799 in Jersey City.
Does Jersey City or Newark have better weather?
Newark scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Jersey City or Newark better for finding a job?
Newark currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 5.4% in Jersey City vs 5.4% in Newark. Median household income is $91,151 in Jersey City and $46,460 in Newark.
Which city is safer — Jersey City or Newark?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Jersey City is safer. Jersey City has had 11 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 15 in Newark. Jersey City scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Newark.
Should I move from Jersey City to Newark?
Based on our data, Newark scores 61.5/100 vs Jersey City's 55.8/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Newark is more affordable, while Newark has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.