Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Boston, MA
VS
Jersey City, NJ
🏆 Jersey City leads 13 of 23 categories
Boston
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$89,212
Violent Crime Index
165⚠ High
Population
665,945 ✓ Larger
Jersey City
New Jersey
13
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.
Boston, MA
Pros
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $684,900
Violent crime (627.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.8%)
Jersey City, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $185k less ($500,100 vs $684,900)
11% less violent crime than Boston
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (5.8%)
Rent averages $182/mo less ($1,799 vs $1,981)
Cons
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)
Longer commutes — 37.0 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Boston
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 111.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Jersey City
Median Income
$1,939
$91,151 vs $89,212/yr
Jersey City
Violent Crime
11% lower
561.6 vs 627.9 per 100k
Jersey City
Median Home Value
$185k less
$500,100 vs $684,900
Jersey City
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
5.8% vs 6.6% unemployment
Jersey City
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 86.8°F vs 82.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $684,900⚠ High | $500,100⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,981⚠ High | $1,799⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $89,212 | $91,151 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.6 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 37.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 16.1% | 18.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 138⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 96 ✓ Safer | 97 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (122) ✓ Better | A- (117) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 12.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 53.4% ✓ Higher | 51.9% |
| High School or Higher | 88.4% | 90.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Boston | Jersey City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.8°F | 39.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.1°F | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.6" ✓ Drier | 50.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.2" | 28.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 665,945 ✓ Larger | 287,899 |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 34.8% ✓ Higher | 29.2% |
| Under 18 | 15.7% | 20.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Boston's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Jersey City's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Boston is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Jersey City leads 13 of 23 categories. Boston wins 10 and Jersey City wins 13. 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 Boston to Jersey City or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($684,900 vs $500,100 median home), income ($89,212 vs $91,151), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Boston, MA and Jersey City, NJ are about 194 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.