Chelsea, MA vs Hackensack, NJ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Chelsea
62.7
#1829 nationally
Hackensack
70.1
#1135 nationally
Hackensack leads in crime level (6.8 vs 26.8). Hackensack leads in average commute (29.1 min vs 34.1 min). Hackensack leads in median household income ($79,133 vs $71,051).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chelsea, MA | Hackensack, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.7 (#1829) | 70.1 (#1135) |
| Population | 38,319 | 45,736 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $531,983 | $473,422 |
| Median Household Income | $71,051 | $79,133 |
| Average Commute | 34.1 min | 29.1 min |
| Walk Score | 81 | 73 |
| Crime Level | 26.8 | 6.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+3.4 |
D-
62.7 Score
Chelsea, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$531,983
Population
38,319
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
81
Northeast
View Chelsea, MA →
C-
70.1 Score
Hackensack, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$473,422
Population
45,736
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
73
Northeast
View Hackensack, NJ →