City comparison
No. Jersey City's crime index is 135 versus 142 in Raleigh, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 128, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Raleigh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,572 a month versus $2,007 in Jersey City.
The cost gap between Raleigh and Jersey City is the real story here. Raleigh comes in 22% cheaper on typical rent ($1,572 vs $2,007), which over a year adds up to $5,220. Median household income runs $85,395 in Raleigh and $97,710 in Jersey City.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Raleigh costs less and Jersey City pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Raleigh at $1,572 average has pockets that run $1,372 and others at $1,972: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Raleigh and Jersey City are 422 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $2,007 a month in Jersey City, up $435 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $97,710 in Jersey City, up $12,315 (14%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 135 in Jersey City, down 7 points (5%).
The move
Jersey City and Raleigh are 422 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,007 a month in Jersey City to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, down $435 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $97,710 in Jersey City to $85,395 in Raleigh, down $12,315 (13%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Jersey City to 142 in Raleigh, up 7 points (5%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Jersey City? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
Raleigh rent is 22% cheaper than Jersey City
Raleigh
Winner$1,572/mo
Jersey City
$2,007/mo
Typical rent runs $1,572 a month in Raleigh versus $2,007 in Jersey City, so Raleigh is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $435/month back in your pocket ($5,220/year). Over five years that's $26,100 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, Raleigh is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
14% higher
Jersey City's median income is 14% higher than Raleigh
Raleigh
$85,395
Jersey City
Winner$97,710
Median household income is $97,710 in Jersey City versus $85,395 in Raleigh, so typical pay runs 14% higher in Jersey City (about $12,315 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. Raleigh can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
5% lower crime
Jersey City's crime index is 5% lower than Raleigh
Raleigh
142 (100 = avg)
Jersey City
Winner135 (100 = avg)
Jersey City's crime index is 135 versus 142 in Raleigh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 5% lower in Jersey City. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Jersey City, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Raleigh. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
30% more comfortable
Raleigh weather is 30% more comfortable than Jersey City
Raleigh
Winner60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Jersey City
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Jersey City averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Jersey City averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Raleigh scores 30% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Jersey City if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Raleigh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 22% cheaper here at about $1,572 a month. Choose Raleigh if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Raleigh if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (60°F) beat Jersey City on this page's weather index by 30%. Jersey City may pay more or cost less, but Raleigh is the city where the forecast fights you less.
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 14% 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 5% lower than Raleigh (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: Raleigh at $1,572/month versus $2,007 in Jersey City ($435 apart). Jersey City median income is $97,710 against $85,395 in Raleigh, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Raleigh rent at $1,572/month is still below Jersey City's $2,007, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $97,710 in Jersey City versus $85,395 in Raleigh.
Pick Raleigh when shaving $435 off rent at $1,572/month is the priority. Otherwise, Jersey City's case rests on $2,007/month rent with $97,710 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Raleigh and Jersey City, plus other cities in NC and NJ.
