Jersey City NJ

In Jersey City, the rent-to-income burden runs around 25% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $97,710 and median rent is $2,007/month. 42% of renters spend 30%+ of income on housing — above the national average. Median home value: $566,900 — that's 5.8× the median income. Only 28% of households own their home — this is overwhelmingly a renter city, which helps explain the landlord leverage problem. 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — a highly educated workforce that drives (and inflates) this local economy. Employment picture: 5.54% unemployment — a average employment landscape. Poverty rate: 15.6%. Average commute: 37 minutes — soul-taxing. Jersey City was founded in 1609 — that's 417 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 21.1 sq miles at 13,951 people/sq mile — densely packed. Elevation: 30 ft — essentially flat — floods are a real conversation. Jersey City has 9 sister cities — cosmopolitan on paper, at least. RoastMyCity overall score: 57/100 — It Depends.