Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Jersey City, NJ
VS
Stamford, CT
🏆 Jersey City leads 12 of 23 categories
Jersey City
New Jersey
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$91,151
Violent Crime Index
148⚠ High
Population
287,899 ✓ Larger
Stamford
Connecticut
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$100,718 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
135,413
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Jersey City, NJ
Pros
Rent averages $330/mo less ($1,799 vs $2,129)
Homes cost $85k less ($500,100 vs $584,700)
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)
Median income trails Stamford by $9,567/yr
Longer commutes — 37.0 min average each way
Stamford, CT
Pros
72% less violent crime than Jersey City
Violent crime is well below the national average (157.5 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Households earn $9,567 more per year on average
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Jersey City
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,129/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $584,700
Key Differences at a Glance
Jersey City
Median Home Value
$85k less
$500,100 vs $584,700
Stamford
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 106.5 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Stamford
Median Income
$9,567
$100,718 vs $91,151/yr
Stamford
Violent Crime
72% lower
157.5 vs 561.6 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Stamford, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 106.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $500,100⚠ High ✓ Lower | $584,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,799⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,129⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $91,151 | $100,718 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 37.0 min⚠ High | 27.8 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 14.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 127⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 97 | 58 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) | A (120) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 12.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 51.9% ✓ Higher | 50.4% |
| High School or Higher | 90.0% ✓ Higher | 88.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jersey City Public Schools | Stamford School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.4°F ✓ Warmer | 38.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.4" ✓ Drier | 50.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 28.2" ✓ Less | 34.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 287,899 ✓ Larger | 135,413 |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 29.2% | 46.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.3% ✓ More | 19.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 15.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Jersey City's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Stamford's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Stamford is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Jersey City leads 12 of 23 categories. Jersey City wins 12 and Stamford wins 11. 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 Stamford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($500,100 vs $584,700 median home), income ($91,151 vs $100,718), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Jersey City, NJ and Stamford, CT are about 37 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.