Moving to Jersey City NJ in 2023? Complete Moving Guide

This is a complete guide for Moving to Jersey City, NJ.
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Jersey City, NJ.

Are you planning on moving to Jersey City?

Famous for being part of the New York metro area, Jersey City is a manufacturing, transportation, and distribution hub for the port of New Jersey and New York.

Jersey City is a great place to call home for many reasons. Compared to New York City, you can get more square footage, parking, luxury amenities, and remarkable views in Jersey City, for a less fortune.

Moving to Jersey City means you can enjoy almost everything Manhattan has to offer excluding most of the downsides.

Jersey City’s top-quality education, good weather, and vibrant city life make it one of the best places to live in the United States.

If you’re considering moving to Jersey City and wondering if Chilltown is right for you or not, this guide contains all the key details you need to make the right decision.

Let’s jump right in!

facts of Jersey City

Quick facts to know before moving to Jersey City

  • The average annual pay for the average job in Jersey City is $66,858
  • Jersey City gets an average of 217 sunny days per year
  • About 38% of Jersey City’s population are homeowners
  • Jersey City’s winter low in January is around 25 degrees
  • Jersey City’s median home value is $485,300

What’s the population of Jersey City?

Jersey City’s population is 258,523 people. The city spreads across 21 miles making it the 87th largest city in the United States. Located in Hudson County, New Jersey, Jersey City is the second-largest city in the Garden State, after Newark.

  • Jersey City’s annual population -0.68% annually
  • Jersey City has a population density of 17,535 people per square mile
  • Jersey City’s median age is 34.3 years
  • The median age for males is 34 years and 34.7 years for females

How fast can you commute in Jersey City?

Jersey City’s average one-way commute time takes 36.8 minutes. The national average is 26.4 minutes. That means commuting in Jersey City requires more time than the national average. However, Jersey City has a dependable transportation network rated as one of the best in the country.

Since you’re considering moving to Jersey City, here’s how the city’s residents commute to work:

  • About 31.6% of New Jerseyans drive their car alone
  • Up to 6.9% of New Jerseyans carpool with others
  • Around 3.2% of New Jerseyans work from home
  • About 48.5% of New Jerseyans take the mass transit

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How is the weather like in Jersey City?

Jersey City gets an average of 217 sunny days per year. The national average is 205 sunny days. If the weather is one of the things you’d like to consider before moving to Jersey City, you’ll be excited to learn that

  • Jersey City gets 48 inches of rain on average per year. The national average is 38 inches
  • On average, Jersey City gets 26 inches of snow. The national average is 28 inches
  • Jersey City’s winter low in January is around 25 degrees
  • Jersey City averages 26 inches of snow a year
moving to Jersey City

Top 10 reasons to move to Jersey City

There are numerous reasons why moving to Jersey City can be such a great idea.

We’ve made a list of the top ten reasons why so many people find Jersey City as one of the most attractive places in America. Check out the list below:

  • Jersey City is home to many family-friendly towns
  • Jersey City is quieter than NY
  • There’s more space than NY
  • Jersey City is home to some of the best schools in the U.S.
  • The city is a melting pot of culture
  • Jersey City is directly adjacent to Manhattan
  • There are lots of amazing things to do outdoors
  • Affordable real estate compared to NY
  • You’ll enjoy some of the best food and drinks in the U.S.
  • You’ll never pump gas again
Jersey City pros and cons

Pros & Cons of Living in Jersey City

Jersey City is an amazing city with lots of exciting things you can do to have fun.

But is moving to Jersey City right for you? One of the best ways to find out is to consider the pros and cons of living in the city.

Pros of living in Jersey City Cons of living in Jersey City
Jersey City is easily accessibleThe cost of living in Jersey City is higher than the national average
Jersey City is home to picturesque beaches and natural spacesYou’ll have to put up with lots of traffic in Jersey City
There are lots of drive-in theaters in Jersey CityNew Jersey taxes is one of the things to consider
You’ll enjoy the vibrant local lifeJersey City is not a dog-friendly city
Jersey City is a melting pot of cultureMovie sets are all around the city
Renting a home can be very cheapSome areas are densely populated in Jersey City
Jersey City is home to a diverse populationJersey City is bustling with noise
The city has a good transit system
The city is well-known for its low gas prices
You’ll enjoy the amazing nightlife of Jersey City
The city is home to lots of places for everyday activities
place to live Jersey City

Best neighborhoods to live in Jersey City

Jersey City is home to lots of livable towns and neighborhoods. You can make your house-hunting efforts easier by focusing on the best places to live in Jersey City. We’ve made a list of the ten best neighborhoods to live in Chilltown to give you a head start if you’re moving to Jersey City.

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1Downtown31,125$484,010$96,326
2The Waterfront10,234$443,890$139,130
3Liberty Park447$350,100$139,750
4The Heights56,548$294,966$57,801
5Hackensack Riverfront4,139$312,060$81,668
6West Side22,917$295,092$56,906
7Mcginley Square19,496$269,981$43,778
8Lincoln Park1,175$283,967$59,923
9Journal Square27,965$282,588$51,723
10Greenville47,654$242,197$45,289

Tip: When you’ve got a home to move in Jersey City, NJ, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

cost of living in Jersey City

Cost of living in Jersey City

Similar to several other large cities in the country, the average cost of living in Chilltown is higher than the national average.

Jersey City’s cost of living is 146.8. The national average is 100. That means the average cost of living in Jersey City is higher than the U.S. average.

Check out the following major factors that make up the cost of living in Jersey City:

Living Expense Jersey City New Jersey National Average
Overall141123100
Services136111100
Grocery142110100
Health110102100
Housing165158100
Utilities111100100
Transportation128110100

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Jersey City’s housing market info

Do you intend to rent or buy a home after moving to Jersey City? You’ll find all types of homes in the city. Check out the following key stats about Jersey City’s housing market:

  • Jersey City’s median home value is $485,300
  • Over the last 10 years, Jersey City’s home values have increased by 45.0%
  • Currently, Jersey City homes have appreciated by 14.1%
  • About 38% of Jersey City’s population are homeowners

Home rental costs in Jersey City

Renting a home or an apartment in Jersey City may be your preferred housing option. Around 61.5% of Jersey City residents are renters. Also, up to 3.6% of homes and apartments in Jersey City are available to rent. Below are the average rental costs in Jersey City:

  • The average cost of a studio apartment in Jersey City is $1,602
  • The average cost of a 1-bedroom home or apartment in Jersey City is $1,703
  • The average cost of a 2-bedroom home or apartment in Jersey City is $1,963
  • The average cost of a 3-bedroom home or apartment in Jersey City is $2,427
  • The average cost of a 4-bedroom home or apartment in Jersey City is $2,661
jobs in Jersey City

How is the job market in Jersey City?

Similar to several other large cities in the U.S. Jersey City’s job market has taken a hit as a result of the pandemic.

The following are key stats of the city’s job market to make it easier for you to have a better idea of what to expect if you’re moving to Jersey City:

What’s Jersey City’s unemployment rate?

Once you move to Jersey City, you may need a job or even run your own business. If you’re interested in getting a job after moving to Jersey City, here are key stats about the Chilltown’s job market:

  • Jersey City’s unemployment rate is 8.3%. The national average is 6.0%
  • Over the past year, the number of jobs in Jersey City has reduced by 0.5%
  • Jersey City’s future job growth is lower than the U.S. average
Employment Information Jersey City, New Jersey United States
The income per Cap$36,453$31,177
Household Income$62,739$57,652
Unemployment Rate8.36.0%
Recent Job Growth-8.28%-6.18%
Future Job Growth23.96%33.51%

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Top Career Options in Jersey City

If you’re interested in getting a new job after moving to Jersey City, you may be interested in the city’s top career options. We’ve made a list of the highest-paying job in Chilltown to help you get started if you’re moving to Jersey City. Check out the list below:

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry Level Salary # Of People
1Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists$275,710$159,8901,390
2Chief Executives$258,450$128,090980
3Obstetricians And Gynecologists$257,480$189,870870
4Psychiatrists$235,580$144,790570
5Family Medicine Physicians$224,300$138,6801,630
6General Internal Medicine Physicians$224,200$113,9801,300
7Physicians, All Other; And Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$215,980$59,80015,150
8Nurse Anesthetists$207,500$142,290800
9Athletes And Sports Competitors$202,020$46,070380
10Compensation And Benefits Managers$198,300$123,270450

What’s the median salary in Jersey City?

If you’re interested in getting a job after moving to Jersey City, you’ll also be interested in the average pay in Chilltown. We’ve collated key stats about average pay in the city to give you a head start if you’re moving to Jersey City. Check out the stats below:

  • The average annual pay for the average job in Jersey City is $66,858
  • The average hourly pay for the average job in Jersey City is $32.19 an hour
  • The average weekly pay for the average job in Jersey City is $1,288 per week
  • The average monthly pay for the average job in Jersey City is $5,580 per month
  • New Jersey’s minimum wage is $12 per hour

Top industries in Jersey City

Jersey City’s economy is propelled by several large industries. Moving to Jersey City means you’ll get the chance to learn more about these industries and the various opportunities they are offering. Here are the leading industries in Jersey City:

  • Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences
  • Financial Services
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Technology
  • Transportation and Logistics
taxes in Jersey City

Jersey City Taxes

Moving to Jersey City means you’ll be paying the state of New Jersey taxes.

If you’re moving from out of state, you may have to get familiar with New Jersey’s taxes. If you’re moving to Jersey City, here are key components of New Jersey’s taxes:

  • New Jersey’s income tax is 1.40% - 10.75%
  • New Jersey’s sales tax is 3.3225% - 6.625%
  • Property tax in New Jersey is 2.42% average effective rate
  • New Jersey’s gas tax is 10.50 cents per gallon of regular gasoline
  • Per gallon of diesel, New Jersey’s gas tax is 13.50 cents
Jersey City Things to do

Best things to do in Jersey City

Jersey City is a vibrant city, full of energy, excitement, and entertainment.

Moving to Jersey City means you’ll get the chance to experience the city’s sights and sounds. Check out this list of the best things to do in the Chilltown since you’re considering moving to Jersey City:

  • Soak up all of the street art in the city
  • Take out a jetski on New York Harbor
  • Spend some time at the Empty Sky Memorial
  • Hang out in Hoboken
  • Check out at exhibition at Mana Contemporary
  • Go shopping in Jersey City’s independent stores
  • Eat your way around Little Manilla
  • Marvel at the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal
  • Delight in all of the food in Downtown Jersey City

How safe is Jersey City?

You’re probably wondering about the crime rate in Jersey City because it’s a big city. Crime rate could be one of the key indices to consider before moving to Chilltown. We’ve collated key stats about the city to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to Jersey City:

  • The violent crime rate in Jersey City is rated 26.3. The U.S. average is 22.7
  • The property crime rate in Jersey City is rated 27.1. The U.S. average is 35.4
  • Jersey City residents have a 1 in 191.3 chance of being the victim of a violent crime each year
  • Jersey City residents have a 1 in 52.5 chance of being the victim of a property crime each year
  • Jersey City is safer than 20% of the cities in the United States

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Below are key stats of Jersey City’s crime rates compared to New Jersey and the United States average:

Statistic Count Raw Jersey City/ 100k People New Jersey/ 100k People National/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K6,4672,426.61,542.52,476.7
Murder134.92.95.0
Robbery431161.764.581.6
Aggravated Assault868325.7122.2250.2
Violent Crime1,393522.7206.9366.7
Burglary890333.9184.6340.5
Larceny3,5141,318.51,034.71,549.5
Car Theft670251.4116.4219.9
Property Crime5,0741,903.91,335.72,109.9

The Safest Neighborhoods To Live In Jersey City

Who doesn’t care about safety? I guess we all do. Moving to Jersey City most likely means living in the safest towns and neighborhoods in the city. We’ve made a list of the safest neighborhoods in the chilltown as well as their reported crime rates to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to Jersey City.

Rank Neighborhood Crime Per 100K
1Liberty Park961
2The Waterfront981
3Downtown1,042
4Hackensack Riverfront2,392
5Lincoln Park2,453
6West Side2,834
7The Heights2,793
8Journal Square2,934
9Mcginley Square2,958
10Bergen-Lafayette3,081
schools in Jersey City

Best Schools & Universities in Jersey City

Moving to Jersey City means you’ll get easier access to the best schools in the city including universities, colleges, elementary, middle, and high schools.

If quality education is one of the key things you’d like to consider before moving to Jersey City, here’s a list of the best schools in Chilltown.

Best Elementary Schools in Jersey City

  • Jersey City Global Charter School
    Jersey City Global Charter School, Charter, K-7 | 437 students, Rating: 9/10

  • Cornelia F. Bradford School
    Jersey City Public Schools, Public, PK-5 | 694 students, Rating: 9/10

  • Soaring Heights Charter School
    Soaring Heights Charter School, Charter, K-8 | 264 students, Rating: 9/10

  • Learning Community Charter School
    The Learning Community Charter School, Charter, PK-8 | 624 students, Rating: 9/10

  • Jotham W. Wakeman School
    Jersey City Public Schools, Public, PK-5 & Ungraded | 717 students, Rating: 9/10

Best Middle Schools in Jersey City

  • Jersey City Global Charter School
    Jersey City Global Charter School, Charter, K-7 | 437 students, Rating: 9/10

  • Infinity Institute
    Jersey City Public Schools, Public, 6-12 | 298 students, Rating: 9/10

  • Soaring Heights Charter School
    Soaring Heights Charter School, Charter, K-8 | 264 students, Rating: 9/10

  • Academy I
    Jersey City Public Schools, Public, 6-8 & Ungraded | 490 students, Rating: 9/10

  • Learning Community Charter School
    The Learning Community Charter School, Charter, PK-8 | 624 students, Rating: 9/10

Best High Schools in Jersey City

  • Dr Ronald McNair High School
    Jersey City Public Schools, Public, 9-12 | 699 students, Rating: 9/10

  • Infinity Institute
    Jersey City Public Schools, Public, 6-12 | 298 students, Rating: 9/10

  • County Prep High School
    Hudson County Schools of Technology School District, Public, 9-12 | 945 students, Rating: 9/10

  • Innovation High School
    Jersey City Public Schools, Public, 9-12 | 316 students, Rating: 9/10

  • University Academy Charter High School
    University Academy Charter High School, Charter, 9-12 | 436 students, Rating: 9/10

Best universities and colleges in Jersey City

  • Hudson County Community College

  • New Jersey City University

  • Saint Peter's University

  • The Institute for Health Education

  • Eastern International College, Jersey City

  • PC Age, Jersey City

  • PC Age Career Institute, Jersey City

  • Garden State Science and Technology Institute

  • Academy of Massage Therapy, Jersey City

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