Chelsea, MA vs Jersey City, 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
Jersey City
66.9
#1486 nationally
Jersey City leads in median household income ($87,961 vs $71,051). Jersey City leads in walk score (86 vs 81). Jersey City leads in cost of living index (128 vs 135).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chelsea, MA | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.7 (#1829) | 66.9 (#1486) |
| Population | 38,319 | 292,449 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $531,983 | $670,166 |
| Median Household Income | $71,051 | $87,961 |
| Average Commute | 34.1 min | 35.8 min |
| Walk Score | 81 | 86 |
| Crime Level | 26.8 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 128 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+28.1 |
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 →
D
66.9 Score
Jersey City, NJ
Manhattan views without Manhattan prices
Median Home
$670,166
Population
292,449
Crime
Moderate
Schools
C+
Northeast
View Jersey City, NJ →
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