Jersey City, NJ vs San Mateo, CA
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.
Jersey City
66.9
#1486 nationally
San Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
Jersey City leads in cost of living index (128 vs 249). San Mateo leads in median household income ($149,152 vs $87,961). Jersey City leads in walk score (86 vs 68).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.9 (#1486) | 63 (#1808) |
| Population | 292,449 | 101,327 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $670,166 | $1,685,162 |
| Median Household Income | $87,961 | $149,152 |
| Average Commute | 35.8 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 86 | 68 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 6.7 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 249 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.1 | D+50.3 |
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 →
D
63 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →
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