Are you torn between living in Jersey City Vs. Hoboken? Jersey City is known for its numerous historical landmarks and points of interest; it's home to Liberty Island National Park, Ellis Island Immigration Station, and the Statue of Liberty. Jersey City has two mottos: "Let Jersey Prosper" and "Jersey City, Make It Yours." The city is large and unique, and different than living in Hoboken.
Hoboken, or “The Mile Square City”, it’s known for its exquisite food options, numerous breweries, the skyline view of Manhattan, and the infamous Hoboken nightlife. While these two cities are close (and share similarities), they are still different and have various advantages and drawbacks. Wondering “How do you choose between Hoboken vs. Jersey City?” Follow our ultimate guide to living in and moving to Hoboken or Jersey City.
Wondering if living in Jersey City suits you or if moving to Hoboken will be better?
Hoboken is located in Hudson County; as the east side of the city faces the Hudson River. Hoboken, NJ, is called “Mile Square City,” as the city is only 1.97 square miles big.
While Hoboken isn’t the biggest city, that’s not to say it’s lacking in the attractive attributes department.
Living in Jersey City vs. Hoboken is a tough decision. Take a look at the benefits and disadvantages, as well as the ins and outs before moving to either.
Great NightlifeÂ
The median age in Hoboken, NJ, is 32 years old, hence its reputation for having a great nightlife. There are numerous famous Hoboken bars like Del Frisco's Grille and bumping clubs like the Mad Hatter Hoboken.
Beautiful Scenery
One of the best things about living in Hoboken is its picturesque views; thanks to its proximity to NYC’s beautiful skyline, many Hoboken apartments have top-notch scenery.
Prosperous Economy
Hoboken is in the prime location to have a prosperous economy and diverse workforce. While the industries aren’t as prominent in Hoboken as in Jersey City, they’re still lucrative; plus, its proximity to major cities such as NYC makes for a commuter's dream location.
Convenient Location
If you’re looking for a less than 30-minute commute to NYC, Hoboken is only 4.4 miles from NYC and takes an average of 22 minutes. Hoboken is in proximity to other larger cities, which makes it an ideal location – you’ll never run out of things to do/new places to see.
Things to Do in Hoboken
There are so many things to do in Hoboken;Â its vibrant nightlife, great restaurants, and numerous bars are just a few options. Take a walk down the Hudson Waterfront Parkway or enjoy a picnic at Pier C Park. If you run out of things to do in the small 1.97 square miles of the city, you can always commute less than 5 miles to the heart of NYC. The vibrant Hoboken downtown nightlife and other pros make Hoboken a nice area to live.
Hoboken Demographics
Before moving to a new city, knowing its demographics is important. Hoboken is a diverse city:
While Hoboken is a good place to live, it also has a few drawbacks.
High Cost Of Living Index
Hoboken is famous for being a small city with a lot to offer; however, the lack of area results in a competitive housing market and expensive COLI (Cost Of Living Index). According to PayScale, the Cost of Living in Hoboken, New Jersey, is 63% higher than the national average, with a median sale price of $838,000 and an average rent of $4,060 per month.
Crime RateÂ
According to the FBI, Hoboken has a crime rate of 1,588 per 100,000 people, which is 17.3% higher than the state average; however, it is 32.3% lower than the national average.
Education SystemÂ
While there are high-rated schools in Hoboken, according to U.S.News, there are only a few to choose from. Joseph F Brandt Elementary School and Thomas G. Connors Elementary School are the #1 and #2 schools in the Hoboken School District.
Jersey City has loads of attractive attributes. It’s known for various historical landmarks and its two mottos, "Let Jersey Prosper" and "Jersey City, Make It Yours”.
Affordable Housing Market
Jersey City is a more affordable place to live than Hoboken, especially if you’re looking for an alternative to NYC’s costly rental options, there are many affordable places to live in Jersey City near NYC. The median home price in Jersey City is $712,150, compared to Hoboken's $838,000. The average rent in Jersey City is $2,175 per month.
Lower Cost of Living Index
Jersey City has a COLI that is 29% higher than the national average but is still 40% lower than the COLI in Hoboken. Housing in Hoboken is 210% higher than the national average, whereas Jersey City’s is only 79% higher than the national average.
LocationÂ
Jersey City is conveniently located off the Hudson river, 3.9 miles from NYC. Considering Jersey has more affordable living than Hoboken and NYC, Jersey City is a commuter's dream location.
Education
Jersey City has a better education system than Hoboken. The student-to-teacher ratio in Jersey City is 13:1, compared to Hobokenes 14:1. Jersey City has a higher college enrollment than the state average. 27% of Jersey City residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Jersey City is a good place to live – it’s even considered one of the best suburbs of NJ close to NYC.
Before moving to Jersey City, there are a few things to consider; here’s our run-down of the cons of living in Jersey City.
Traffic
Jersey City’s high population doesn’t go unnoticed, as this city is notorious for having backup streets and hundreds of traffic collisions a day. While its proximity to NYC is one of its great attributes, it also causes unwanted traffic.
Taxes
While most New Jersey cities will have high taxes, Jersey City is still lower than the state's average. The state's average tax rate is 2.442%, compared to Jersey City’s 2.341%; however, the national average is 1.080%. Even though Jersey City has higher tax rates than the national average, the rates are still lower than most New Jersey Cities. Jersey City is one of the best places to live in New Jersey to avoid high taxes.
Crime Rate
Jersey City has a crime rate that is 43.3% higher than the state but 17.3% lower than the country. While Hoboken has a better crime rate than Jersey City, Jersey City is still safer compared to most U.S. cities.
Jersey City has hundreds of dedicated police officers patrolling the streets.
Typical living expenses in Hoboken, NJ:
Typical living expenses in Jersey City:
The median household income in Hoboken is $160,890, compared to Jersey City’s median household income of $81,958. While it's more expensive to live in Hoboken than in Jersey City, the average salary is higher.
The population of Hoboken is 53,283, with a population density of 47,487.2, compared to the population of Jersey City, 283,943. Jersey City has a population density of 19,258.8. By area, Hoboken is a mere 1.97 mi²; hence its nickname, “Mile Square City.” Jersey City has an impressive area of 21.03 square miles.
Jersey City is geographically much larger than Hoboken and is the 2nd most populous city in New Jersey.Â
According to the FBI, Hoboken experiences less crime than Jersey City; Jersey City has a higher crime rate per 100,000 people by 352, and Hoboken still has a crime rate that is 17.3% higher than the state average. However, it’s also 32.3% lower than the national average. While some parts of New Jersey are safer, Hoboken is still safer than 67.7% of U.S. cities and Jersey City.
While both cities are great places to live, to conclude which is right for you will take time, dedication, and research. You can see all the positives and negatives of Jersey City as opposed to Hoboken and make educated, confident decisions on where to move next.
How many miles from Jersey City to Hoboken? Hoboken to Jersey is 2 miles.
Overall, Jersey City and Hoboken, NJ, are good places to live. While both have a few cons, the list of highlights overpowers the challenges. If you’re looking for a hip, urban, yet more affordable place to live, Jersey City is likely the place for you. In contrast, if you’d like to enjoy the exciting nightlife, proximity to NYC, and overall young, hip vibe Hoboken may be your best bet.
Regardless of your decision, Catlow Movers can help during your relocation to Jersey City or Hoboken, whether it's 2 miles down the road or 100 miles away. Call us today at 201-653-1808 for a moving estimate.
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