City comparison
No. Jersey City's crime index is 135 versus 166 in St Paul, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 160, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $2,007 in Jersey City.
The cost gap between St Paul and Jersey City is the real story here. St Paul comes in 36% cheaper on typical rent ($1,281 vs $2,007), which over a year adds up to $8,712. Median household income runs $73,394 in St Paul and $97,710 in Jersey City.
Jersey City is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. St Paul makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Jersey City is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. St Paul at $1,281 average has pockets that run $1,081 and others at $1,681: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
St Paul and Jersey City are 1,004 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $2,007 a month in Jersey City, up $726 a month (57%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $97,710 in Jersey City, up $24,316 (33%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 135 in Jersey City, down 31 points (19%).
The move
Jersey City and St Paul are 1,004 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,007 a month in Jersey City to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $726 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $97,710 in Jersey City to $73,394 in St Paul, down $24,316 (25%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Jersey City to 166 in St Paul, up 31 points (23%).
St Paul, MN
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 St Paul and Jersey City? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
St Paul rent is 36% cheaper than Jersey City
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Jersey City
$2,007/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $2,007 in Jersey City, so St Paul is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $726/month back in your pocket ($8,712/year). Over five years that's $43,560 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, St Paul 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
33% higher
Jersey City's median income is 33% higher than St Paul
St Paul
$73,394
Jersey City
Winner$97,710
Median household income is $97,710 in Jersey City versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 33% higher in Jersey City (about $24,316 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. St Paul 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 St Paul
St Paul
166 (100 = avg)
Jersey City
Winner135 (100 = avg)
Jersey City's crime index is 135 versus 166 in St Paul (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. St Paul can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
14% more comfortable
Jersey City weather is 14% more comfortable than St Paul
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Jersey City
Winner53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs); Jersey City averages about 53°F (58°F highs). St Paul averages around 50°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. Jersey City scores 14% 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 St Paul if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to St Paul
St Paul is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 36% cheaper here at about $1,281 a month. Choose St Paul 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 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 33% higher ($97,710), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 53°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
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 St Paul (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,281/month in St Paul versus $2,007 in Jersey City. Median income reads $73,394 in St Paul and $97,710 in Jersey City, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
St Paul rent at $1,281/month is still below Jersey City's $2,007, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 45/100 in St Paul and 51/100 in Jersey City.
Pick St Paul when shaving $726 off rent at $1,281/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 St Paul and Jersey City, plus other cities in MN and NJ.
