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Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS

Moving from Jersey City to Phoenix

Comparing Jersey City, New Jersey, and Phoenix, Arizona, using the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveals distinct trade-offs in population scale, household economics, and daily transit. Jersey City records a population of 294,078, a higher median household income of $97,710, a median gross rent of $2,007, a median home value of $566,900, and a derived one-way commute of 40 minutes. Phoenix supports a much larger population of 1,642,323 with a median household income of $81,332, a median gross rent of $1,582, a median home value of $420,700, and a shorter derived one-way commute of 28 minutes. Phoenix incorporates a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 2.50%, whereas Jersey City has no approved state tax reference included. Both utilize a uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250 per month.

Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta

Moving from Jersey City to Phoenix

⇄ Switch to PhoenixJersey City
Median Rent Impact
-$425/mo

Moving to Phoenix saves ~$5,100/yr in rent.

State Tax Treatment
+2.5%

~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.

Daily Commute Difference
-12 min / day

Difference of ~100 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 VERDICTJERPHX
72/ 100

Worth serious consideration

Your modeled annual room improves.
Estimated annual life delta+$14,684after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Take-home$69,208$78,792
Core costs$39,084$33,984
Commute time94 hours gained
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
See assumptions and methodology →
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The short answer

In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $5,100 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Jersey City gross rent$2,007
Phoenix gross rent$1,582

Housing, income, and tax reference

MetricJersey CityPhoenix
2024 ACS population294,0781,642,323
Median household income$97,710$81,332
Median gross rent$2,007$1,582
Median owner-occupied home value$566,900$420,700
State-tax treatmentExcluded2.5% simplified
Salary & Affordability Benchmark

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

2024 ACS Median Income

$81,332/yr

30% Rule for RentRecommended
$63,280 / year

To afford Phoenix's median gross rent of $1,582/mo at or below 30% of gross earnings, a household needs approximately $30.42/hour (full-time).

28% Rule for HomeownershipMedian Home
$106,671 / year

Modeled against Phoenix's median home benchmark of $420,700 (estimated $2,489/mo ownership carrying cost at typical 7.1% baseline).

Slide to test your income against local rent, taxes, and essentials.
$81,332gross/year
Affordability Status:Comfortable
Rent is 23% of gross income (33% of net pay)

At this income, median rent is only 23% of gross pay, leaving strong room for savings and essentials.

Monthly Budget AllocationEstimated Net Take-Home: $4,768/mo
Tax 30%
Rent 23%
Essentials 18%
Savings 29%
Taxes: $2,033/mo Rent: $1,582/mo Essentials: $1,250/mo Discretionary Margin: $1,936/mo

Time and daily routine

The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 40 minutes in Jersey City and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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

  • Population scale differences
  • Median household income variations
  • Housing cost and rent divergence
  • Derived one-way commute time comparison

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..

Phoenix

A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.

Frequently asked questions

How do the populations of Jersey City and Phoenix compare according to the 2024 ACS?

According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Jersey City has a population of 294,078, while Phoenix has a significantly larger population of 1,642,323.

What are the differences in median household income and housing costs between the two cities?

Jersey City reports a median household income of $97,710, a median gross rent of $2,007, and a median home value of $566,900. Phoenix reports a median household income of $81,332, a lower median gross rent of $1,582, and a median home value of $420,700.

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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