jersey_city
Photo Credit: Pixabay

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

Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Jersey City, NJ.

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
move to Arizona

Top 10 reasons to move to Jersey City

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

  • 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
pros and cons of Jersey City

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
  • Jersey City is easily accessible
  • Jersey City is home to picturesque beaches and natural spaces
  • There are lots of drive-in theaters in Jersey City
  • You’ll enjoy the vibrant local life
  • Jersey City is a melting pot of culture
  • Renting a home can be very cheap
  • Jersey City is home to a diverse population
  • 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
Cons of living in Jersey City
  • The cost of living in Jersey City is higher than the national average
  • You’ll have to put up with lots of traffic in Jersey City
  • New Jersey taxes are one of the things to consider
  • Jersey City is not a dog-friendly city
  • Movie sets are all around the city
  • Some areas are densely populated in Jersey City
  • Jersey City is bustling with noise

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 Neighborhoods Place Population Median Home Value Median Income
1 Downtown 31,125 $484,010 $96,326
2 The Waterfront 10,234 $443,890 $139,130
3 Liberty Park 447 $350,100 $139,750
4 The Heights 56,548 $294,966 $57,801
5 Hackensack Riverfront 4,139 $312,060 $81,668
6 West Side 22,917 $295,092 $56,906
7 Mcginley Square 19,496 $269,981 $43,778
8 Lincoln Park 1,175 $283,967 $59,923
9 Journal Square 27,965 $282,588 $51,723
10 Greenville 47,654 $242,197 $45,289

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.

An amount that is higher than 100 indicates that the cost of living is higher than the U.S. An amount that is lower than 100 means the cost of living in the city is less expensive than the U.S. 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
Overall 141 123 100
Services 136 111 100
Grocery 142 110 100
Health 110 102 100
Housing 165 158 100
Utilities 111 100 100
Transportation 128 110 100

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 is a quick snapshot of the city’s job market since you’re considering moving to Clifton, New Jersey:

  • Clifton’s unemployment rate is 8.2%. The U.S. average is 6.0%
  • Clifton’s job growth has declined by 0.5% over the past year
  • Clifton’s recent job growth is -8.30%
  • Future job growth in Clifton is expected to hit 23.06%
Employment Information Concord, New Hampshire United States
The income per Cap $36,453 $31,177
Household Income $62,739 $57,652
Unemployment Rate 8.3 6.0%
Recent Job Growth -8.28% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 23.96% 33.51%

Ready to start planning your move?

Tell us a little bit about your move and let us make your move simple.

Start My Quote Now

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
1 Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists $275,710 $159,890 1,390
2 Chief Executives $258,450 $128,090 980
3 Obstetricians And Gynecologists $257,480 $189,870 870
4 Psychiatrists $235,580 $144,790 570
5 Family Medicine Physicians $224,300 $138,680 1,630
6 General Internal Medicine Physicians $224,200 $113,980 1,300
7 Physicians, All Other; And Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric $215,980 $59,800 15,150
8 Nurse Anesthetists $207,500 $142,290 800
9 Athletes And Sports Competitors $202,020 $46,070 380
10 Compensation And Benefits Managers $198,300 $123,270 450

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

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

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

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

Tip: Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.

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 100K 6,467 2,426.6 1,542.5 2,476.7
Murder 13 4.9 2.9 5.0
Robbery 431 161.7 64.5 81.6
Aggravated Assault 868 325.7 122.2 250.2
Violent Crime 1,393 522.7 206.9 366.7
Burglary 890 333.9 184.6 340.5
Larceny 3,514 1,318.5 1,034.7 1,549.5
Car Theft 670 251.4 116.4 219.9
Property Crime 5,074 1,903.9 1,335.7 2,109.9

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
1 Liberty Park 961
2 The Waterfront 981
3 Downtown 1,042
4 Hackensack Riverfront 2,392
5 Lincoln Park 2,453
6 West Side 2,834
7 The Heights 2,793
8 Journal Square 2,934
9 Mcginley Square 2,958
10 Bergen-Lafayette 3,081

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.

Contact Info

MoverJunction.com
20130 Lakeview Center Plaza
Ashburn, VA 20147

888-901-4841

mobile-with-hand