Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Jersey City to Los Angeles
Comparing Jersey City and Los Angeles using 2024 ACS data reveals distinct trade-offs between income, housing costs, commute times, and tax structures. Jersey City features a higher median household income of $97,710 compared to Los Angeles's $81,939. However, Jersey City also carries a slightly higher median gross rent at $2,007 per month versus $1,933 in Los Angeles, alongside a notably higher derived one-way commute of 40 minutes compared to 33 minutes in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, owner-occupied home values are substantially higher in Los Angeles at $921,200 than in Jersey City's $566,900. Additionally, Los Angeles incorporates a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 9.30%, while Jersey City's profile excludes state income tax.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → Jersey CityMoving from Jersey City to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
-$74/mo
Moving to Los Angeles saves ~$888/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
-7 min / day
Difference of ~58 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
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 VERDICTJER → LAX
55/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$2,856after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Los Angeles is about $888 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
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Jersey City gross rent$2,007
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Jersey City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 294,078 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $97,710 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $2,007 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $566,900 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 40 minutes in Jersey City and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. 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.
Decision checklist
- Median household income differences
- Median gross rent comparisons
- Owner-occupied home value gap
- Derived one-way commute duration
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..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do the median household incomes compare between Jersey City and Los Angeles?
According to 2024 ACS data, Jersey City has a median household income of $97,710, whereas Los Angeles has a median household income of $81,939.
What are the median gross rents in both cities?
The 2024 ACS median gross rent is $2,007 per month in Jersey City and $1,933 per month in Los Angeles. Note that ACS gross rent is not a live asking rent.
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.