Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Baltimore, MD
VS
Jersey City, NJ
🏆 Baltimore leads 13 of 23 categories
Baltimore
Maryland
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,349
Violent Crime Index
423⚠ High
Population
584,548 ✓ Larger
Jersey City
New Jersey
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$91,151 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
148⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
287,899
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Baltimore, MD
Pros
Homes cost $297k less ($202,900 vs $500,100)
Rent averages $564/mo less ($1,235 vs $1,799)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Jersey City
Cons
Median income trails Jersey City by $32,802/yr
Violent crime (1606.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4157.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.8%)
Jersey City, NJ
Pros
65% less violent crime than Baltimore
Households earn $32,802 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (5.8%)
More college-educated — 51.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $500,100
Higher rents — median is $1,799/mo
Violent crime (561.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Baltimore
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.7 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Baltimore
Median Home Value
$297k less
$202,900 vs $500,100
Baltimore
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 90.1°F vs 86.8°F
Jersey City
Median Income
$32,802
$91,151 vs $58,349/yr
Jersey City
Violent Crime
65% lower
561.6 vs 1606.2 per 100k
Jersey City
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
5.8% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $202,900 ✓ Lower | $500,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,235 ✓ Lower | $1,799⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,349 | $91,151 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.1 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 37.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.4% | 18.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 333⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 423⚠ High | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 198⚠ High | 97 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.9% | 51.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.1% | 90.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Baltimore City Public Schools | Jersey City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 43.7°F ✓ Warmer | 39.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.1°F ✓ Warmer | 86.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.7" ✓ Drier | 50.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 19.3" ✓ Less | 28.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 584,548 ✓ Larger | 287,899 |
| Median Age | 36.0 ✓ Older | 34.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% ✓ Higher | 29.2% |
| Under 18 | 20.4% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 14.8% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Baltimore's cost of living index is 102.7 vs Jersey City's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Baltimore is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Baltimore leads 13 of 23 categories. Baltimore wins 13 and Jersey City wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Baltimore to Jersey City or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($202,900 vs $500,100 median home), income ($58,349 vs $91,151), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Baltimore, MD and Jersey City, NJ are about 166 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.