Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Jersey City, NJ
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Washington leads 16 of 23 categories
Jersey City
New Jersey
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$91,151
Violent Crime Index
148⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
287,899
Washington
District of Columbia
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Jersey City, NJ
Pros
39% less violent crime than Washington
Homes cost $205k less ($500,100 vs $705,000)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.8%)
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 Washington by $10,571/yr
Longer commutes — 37.0 min average each way
Washington, DC
Pros
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Households earn $10,571 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 39°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Jersey City
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Jersey City
Violent Crime
39% lower
561.6 vs 925.9 per 100k
Jersey City
Median Home Value
$205k less
$500,100 vs $705,000
Jersey City
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.8% vs 7.1% unemployment
Washington
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 108.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Washington
Median Income
$10,571
$101,722 vs $91,151/yr
Washington
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 89.8°F vs 86.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $500,100⚠ High ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,799⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $91,151 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 37.0 min⚠ High | 30.5 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 97 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 51.9% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.0% | 92.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jersey City Public Schools | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.4°F | 44.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.4" | 45.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 28.2" | 9.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 287,899 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 29.2% | 41.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.3% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Jersey City's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Washington is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Washington leads 16 of 23 categories. Jersey City wins 7 and Washington wins 16. 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($500,100 vs $705,000 median home), income ($91,151 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Jersey City, NJ and Washington, DC are about 200 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.