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Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS

Moving from Jersey City to Houston

Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, comparing Jersey City, New Jersey, and Houston, Texas, reveals distinct financial and logistical trade-offs. Jersey City features a higher median household income of $97,710 compared to Houston's $64,813, but comes with substantially higher housing costs, including a median gross rent of $2,007 and a median home value of $566,900. Conversely, Houston offers more affordable housing, with a median gross rent of $1,361 and a median home value of $277,800. Commute times also differ, with Jersey City averaging a derived 40-minute one-way commute versus 30 minutes in Houston. Additionally, Houston incorporates a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 0.00%, while Jersey City's state income tax is excluded due to lack of approved reference.

Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta

Moving from Jersey City to Houston

⇄ Switch to HoustonJersey City
Median Rent Impact
-$646/mo

Moving to Houston saves ~$7,752/yr in rent.

State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference

Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.

Daily Commute Difference
-10 min / day

Difference of ~83 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.

Your move

Compare the life behind the offer.

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What matters most?

Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.

LIVE VERDICTJERHOU
76/ 100

Worth serious consideration

Your modeled annual room improves.
Estimated annual life delta+$20,136after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Take-home$69,208$81,592
Core costs$39,084$31,332
Commute time78 hours gained
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
See assumptions and methodology →
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The short answer

In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $7,752 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.

Jersey City household income$97,710
Houston household income$64,813
Jersey City gross rent$2,007
Houston gross rent$1,361

Housing, income, and tax reference

MetricJersey CityHouston
2024 ACS population294,0782,328,253
Median household income$97,710$64,813
Median gross rent$2,007$1,361
Median owner-occupied home value$566,900$277,800
State-tax treatmentExcluded0% simplified
Salary & Affordability Benchmark

How much do you need to earn to live in Houston?

2024 ACS Median Income

$64,813/yr

30% Rule for RentRecommended
$54,440 / year

To afford Houston's median gross rent of $1,361/mo at or below 30% of gross earnings, a household needs approximately $26.17/hour (full-time).

28% Rule for HomeownershipMedian Home
$70,457 / year

Modeled against Houston's median home benchmark of $277,800 (estimated $1,644/mo ownership carrying cost at typical 7.1% baseline).

Slide to test your income against local rent, taxes, and essentials.
$64,813gross/year
Affordability Status:Balanced
Rent is 25% of gross income (32% of net pay)

Rent aligns with the standard 30% rule (25% of gross pay). Standard budgeting applies.

Monthly Budget AllocationEstimated Net Take-Home: $4,205/mo
Tax 22%
Rent 25%
Essentials 23%
Savings 30%
Taxes: $1,188/mo Rent: $1,361/mo Essentials: $1,250/mo Discretionary Margin: $1,594/mo

Time and daily routine

The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 40 minutes in Jersey City and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.

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Decision checklist

  • Median household income differences
  • Gross rent and home value variations
  • Derived one-way commute duration
  • State individual income-tax references

What each city wins

Jersey City

Median household income of $97,710 against a $2,007 median gross rent.. Watch a derived 40-minute one-way commute estimate alongside citywide housing costs..

Houston

Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..

Frequently asked questions

How do median household incomes compare between Jersey City and Houston?

According to 2024 ACS data, the median household income is $97,710 in Jersey City, New Jersey, compared to $64,813 in Houston, Texas.

What are the housing cost differences according to the 2024 ACS estimates?

Jersey City reports a median gross rent of $2,007 and a median owner-occupied home value of $566,900. In contrast, Houston features a median gross rent of $1,361 and a median home value of $277,800.

Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.

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