City comparison
No. Jersey City's crime index is 135 versus 252 in Seattle, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Jersey City is cheaper. Median rent is $2,007 a month versus $2,030 in Seattle.
Safety is where Seattle and Jersey City split most clearly. Jersey City scores 117 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $2,030 in Seattle and $2,007 in Jersey City.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Jersey City costs less and Seattle 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 crime gap is citywide. Jersey City has rougher pockets and Seattle has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Seattle and Jersey City are 2,398 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,030 a month in Seattle to $2,007 a month in Jersey City, down $23 a month (1%).
Median household income goes from $123,860 in Seattle to $97,710 in Jersey City, down $26,150 (21%).
The crime index goes from 252 in Seattle to 135 in Jersey City, down 117 points (46%).
The move
Jersey City and Seattle are 2,398 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,007 a month in Jersey City to $2,030 a month in Seattle, up $23 a month (1%).
Median household income goes from $97,710 in Jersey City to $123,860 in Seattle, up $26,150 (27%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Jersey City to 252 in Seattle, up 117 points (87%).
Seattle, WA
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 Seattle and Jersey City? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Jersey City rent is 1% cheaper than Seattle
Seattle
$2,030/mo
Jersey City
Winner$2,007/mo
Typical rent runs $2,007 a month in Jersey City versus $2,030 in Seattle, so Jersey City is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $23, or $276 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Jersey City? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
27% higher
Seattle's median income is 27% higher than Jersey City
Seattle
Winner$123,860
Jersey City
$97,710
Median household income is $123,860 in Seattle versus $97,710 in Jersey City, so typical pay runs 27% higher in Seattle (about $26,150 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, Seattle is the stronger labor market on paper. Jersey City can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
46% lower crime
Jersey City's crime index is 46% lower than Seattle
Seattle
252 (100 = avg)
Jersey City
Winner135 (100 = avg)
Jersey City's crime index is 135 versus 252 in Seattle (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 46% 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. Seattle can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Seattle weather is 9% more comfortable than Jersey City
Seattle
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Jersey City
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Seattle averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Jersey City averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Seattle averages around 55°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. Seattle scores 9% 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 27% higher ($123,860), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 55°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Jersey City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% cheaper here at about $2,007 a month. Choose Jersey City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
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 46% lower than Seattle (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Jersey City leads on safety (51/100 vs 32/100 in Seattle). With rent tied near $2,007/month, do not assume either lease buys the calmer blocks.
Median income is $123,860 in Seattle versus $97,710 in Jersey City — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Seattle and 53°F in Jersey City.
Between Seattle and Jersey City, Jersey City is ahead on safety — 51/100 safety versus 32/100. Lean Seattle instead when you already know the Seattle block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Seattle and Jersey City, plus other cities in WA and NJ.
