City comparison
No. Jersey City's crime index is 135 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $2,007 in Jersey City.
The cost gap between Chicago and Jersey City is the real story here. Chicago comes in 28% cheaper on typical rent ($1,440 vs $2,007), which over a year adds up to $6,804. Median household income runs $77,902 in Chicago and $97,710 in Jersey City.
This is a genuine split. Chicago wins on cost of living and Jersey City wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Chicago at $1,440 average has pockets that run $1,240 and others at $1,840: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Chicago and Jersey City are 708 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $2,007 a month in Jersey City, up $567 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $97,710 in Jersey City, up $19,808 (25%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 135 in Jersey City, down 32 points (19%).
The move
Jersey City and Chicago are 708 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,007 a month in Jersey City to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $567 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $97,710 in Jersey City to $77,902 in Chicago, down $19,808 (20%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Jersey City to 167 in Chicago, up 32 points (24%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Jersey City, NJ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Jersey City? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Chicago rent is 28% cheaper than Jersey City
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Jersey City
$2,007/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $2,007 in Jersey City, so Chicago is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $567/month back in your pocket ($6,804/year). Over five years that's $34,020 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Jersey City, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Chicago is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Jersey City? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
25% higher
Jersey City's median income is 25% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Jersey City
Winner$97,710
Median household income is $97,710 in Jersey City versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Jersey City (about $19,808 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Jersey City is the stronger labor market on paper. Chicago can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
19% lower crime
Jersey City's crime index is 19% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Jersey City
Winner135 (100 = avg)
Jersey City's crime index is 135 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 19% lower in Jersey City. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Jersey City is the easier city. Chicago can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Chicago and Jersey City are about even on typical weather.
Chicago
53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Jersey City
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Jersey City averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Jersey City averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Chicago
Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,440 a month. Choose Chicago if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Jersey City is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 25% higher here ($97,710). Start with Jersey City if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Jersey City is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 19% lower than Chicago (135 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Chicago at $1,440/month versus $2,007 in Jersey City ($567 apart). Jersey City median income is $97,710 against $77,902 in Chicago, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Chicago rent at $1,440/month is still below Jersey City's $2,007, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 44/100 in Chicago and 51/100 in Jersey City.
If housing cost drives your move, Chicago is the stronger match ($1,440/month rent against $2,007). If an employer or family tie already points to Jersey City, treat $2,007/month rent and $97,710 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Jersey City, plus other cities in IL and NJ.
