Jersey City, NJ

Jersey City NJ scores 75/100 on safety (above average). Crime is about 32% below the national average. Pick the neighborhood carefully. Some ZIPs are fine, others are not.

Detail: overall crime index 68 (100 = avg); violent crime index 59; property crime index 76. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

Campus scores in the report: Jersey City Elementary (elementary) at 7/10; Jersey City Middle School (middle) at 7/10; Jersey City High School (high) at 8/10. On this 10-point scale, 7 is solidly middle; 9 is a standout.

District picture: about B+ (above average) · Top 35% statewide. Student-teacher staffing: 16:1. If schools drive your move, compare the specific campuses that serve your target address against statewide peers.

Typical rent in Jersey City is about $2,763/month (very expensive). At $2,763/month for a typical unit, you need about $99,468+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $500,100.

Median household income is $91,151, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($91,151) sits below the $99,468 comfort line for that rent. Many households will feel stretched.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 72°F (highs near 79°F, lows near 66°F).

Most of the year is outdoor-friendly; peak summer still needs AC for comfort. Cooling costs matter more than heating for most of the year. If you visit, go in late summer so you feel the heat, not just a mild weekend.

Hazard indexes (100 ≈ typical U.S.): weather hazard index 132. Ask insurers for a quote on the ZIP you want. Deductibles can move your monthly cost as much as a $50–$100 rent difference.

Who tends to thrive in Jersey City: (1) Households that want quieter streets (safety sits at 75/100) (2) Dual-income households (at $2,763/month, the rent math works much better with two salaries) (3) Tech and finance workers (the job market is real and local pay near $91,151 helps carry housing costs) (4) People relocating for a job who can pick a safer ZIP (citywide safety is 75/100)

Who should look elsewhere: (1) Single earners under $70k (the rent-to-income ratio is tight at $2,763/month) (2) Anyone stretching past 40% of take-home on housing at $2,763/month (3) Households expecting top marks on rent, safety, and schools at once (Jersey City does not clear every bar)

Income sniff test: clear about $99,468 household income for $2,763/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Jersey City NJ is not worth it for most movers right now. The data says the risks dominate.

The strongest upside is safety at 75/100 (above what many metros post).

The biggest risk is rent at $2,763/month. Budget from a $99,468+ household income or the ratio gets tight.