Jersey City 82 Exceptional
Jersey City Livability #43 ranked city in New Jersey#1,050 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas

Jersey City, NJ - The Sixth Borough

Jersey City, NJ, often referred to as 'The Sixth Borough,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in northeastern New Jersey, Jersey City is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like New York City and Newark enhance its status as a central point in the region. Jersey City's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Jersey City is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Liberty Science Center, the historic Loew's Jersey Theatre, and the scenic Liberty State Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Hudson River Waterfront Walkway to the bustling Grove Street, known for its shopping and dining. Jersey City's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Italian cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Jersey City Jazz Festival and the All About Downtown Street Fair highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Jersey City's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like New Jersey City University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Jersey City is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Mana Contemporary and the Jersey City Theater Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Jersey City provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Jersey City’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the New York Red Bulls (MLS), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Jersey City include finance, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as Goldman Sachs and Jersey City Medical Center driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses, trains, and light rail, making commuting convenient for residents.

Pros and Cons of Living in Jersey City

PROS
  • Amenities

    Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.

  • Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

New Real Estate Listings in Jersey City Area
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What's it like Living in Jersey City?

Jersey City, New Jersey is a highly populated city with a population of 262,652 inhabitants. Jersey City has a population density of 17,815 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Jersey City identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 22% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Jersey City, only 48% of the population is married. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Jersey City offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 37 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Jersey City, New Jersey. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Jersey City and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Jersey City to New Jersey and the national average.

The livability score in Jersey City is 77 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 91st percentile of all cities across America. Based on this score, Jersey City would be considered a very livable city! Jersey City has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Jersey City ranks well for amenities (A+), education (B-), employment (A+) and housing (B)

If you're living in Jersey City, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Jersey City an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Ellis Island, Liberty Science Center, and Liberty State Park.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Jersey City excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Jersey City. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Jersey City are affordable. Median real estate prices in Jersey City come in at $406,200, which is 28.4% higher than the New Jersey average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Jersey City, the home price to income ratio is 5.3, which is 23.3% higher than the New Jersey average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Jersey City

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Jersey City?

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Compare Jersey City, NJ Livability

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      Jersey City transportation information

      Statistic Jersey City New Jersey National
      Average one way commute37min31min26min
      Workers who drive to work30.2%71.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.3%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit45.3%11.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk6.8%3.0%2.8%
      Working from home8.9%4.1%4.6%
      Source: The Jersey City, NJ data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).