Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Jersey City, NJ
VS
Scottsdale, AZ
🏆 Scottsdale leads 18 of 23 categories
Jersey City
New Jersey
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$91,151
Violent Crime Index
148⚠ High
Population
287,899 ✓ Larger
Scottsdale
Arizona
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$104,197 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
40 ✓ Safer
Population
240,537
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Jersey City, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $152k less ($500,100 vs $651,800)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 99°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (561.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Scottsdale by $13,046/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 3.5%)
Scottsdale, AZ
Pros
73% less violent crime than Jersey City
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (3.5%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (152.5 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $13,046 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 64°F vs 39°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $651,800
Hot summers — July highs average 99°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Jersey City
Median Home Value
$152k less
$500,100 vs $651,800
Scottsdale
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 104.0 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Scottsdale
Median Income
$13,046
$104,197 vs $91,151/yr
Scottsdale
Violent Crime
73% lower
152.5 vs 561.6 per 100k
Scottsdale
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
3.5% vs 5.8% unemployment
Scottsdale
Summer Heat
12.6°F warmer
July avg high 99.4°F vs 86.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 104.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $500,100⚠ High ✓ Lower | $651,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,799⚠ High | $1,768⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $91,151 | $104,197 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 3.5% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 37.0 min⚠ High | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% | 26.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 127⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High | 40 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 97 | 89 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | A- (116) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 51.9% | 61.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.0% | 97.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jersey City Public Schools | Scottsdale Unified District (4240) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.4°F | 63.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F | 99.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.4" | 11.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 28.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 287,899 ✓ Larger | 240,537 |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 48.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 29.2% | 67.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.3% ✓ More | 14.3% |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 25.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Jersey City's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Scottsdale's 104.0 (US average = 100).
Scottsdale is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Scottsdale leads 18 of 23 categories. Jersey City wins 5 and Scottsdale wins 18. 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 Jersey City to Scottsdale or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($500,100 vs $651,800 median home), income ($91,151 vs $104,197), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Jersey City, NJ and Scottsdale, AZ are about 2,119 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.