Jersey City Crime Rate in 2025 – Is Jersey City Safe to Move to?
Of the 565 municipalities in Jersey City, few are as equally popular and controversial as Jersey City. While you won’t find many scandals in Jersey City, there is some controversy and debate over the area’s safety. So, is Jersey City safe to move to?
It is safe to move to Jersey City if you stick to neighborhoods like Hamilton Park, Liberty Park, and the Waterfront. Avoid dangerous neighborhoods like Journal Square, Greenville, and Bergen-Lafayette when you move to Jersey City. Jersey City is only safer than 31% of U.S. cities, but the crime rate is lower than the state average.
Don’t let the high crime rate in some parts of Jersey City discourage you from moving there. The area is constantly developing and neighborhoods that used to be dangerous, like Journal Square, are improving. Follow along as we explore whether or not it’s safe to move to Jersey City in 2024.
Is Jersey City Safe?
The crime rate in Jersey City is higher than the average in the United States. Only 27% of cities in New Jersey are more dangerous than Jersey City. That includes cities like Camden, Salem, Trenton, Newark, Asbury Park, and Trenton which boast higher crime rates than Jersey City.
Jersey City is only safer than 31% of U.S. cities, whereas Camden, New Jersey is safer than 4% of U.S. cities. Cities like Camden and Newark boast higher violent and property crime rates than Jersey City. Jersey City has dangerous areas, like Greenville and Journal Square, but it isn’t all bad.
You have a 1 in 65 chance of experiencing crime in Jersey City, whether it be a property crime or violent crime. That is a relatively low chance when you consider the population of 286,670 people in Jersey City. Follow along as we explore local crime statistics and highlight their meaning when it comes to living in Jersey City.

Property Crime Rate
Property crimes like theft, burglary, and vehicle theft are common in Jersey City. According to Neighborhood Scout’s data, 1 in 75 residents experience property crime in Jersey City. That is a high property crime rate, but it’s lower than the state average of 1 in 71 property crime rate.
Theft is the leading property crime in Jersey City with a rate of 10.9 per 1,000 residents. Over the last several years, there have been just over 3,100 reported thefts in the area. Car theft is less common but still happens often in Jersey City at a rate of 2.23 vehicle thefts per 1,000 residents.
Luckily, burglary is far less common in Jersey City with only 61 recently reported burglaries. The average of violent and property crimes throughout Jersey City comes out to 278 crimes per square mile. Of course, this average doesn’t apply to every neighborhood.
Violent Crime Rate
While property crime is more common in Jersey City, violent crime is still prevalent. According to data from Neighborhood Scout, you have a 1 in 471 chance of suffering a violent crime in Jersey City. Assault is the most common violent crime in Jersey City, followed closely by robbery.
The violent crime rate in Jersey City has recently gone up by 8%, despite the overall crime rate going down by 15%. It’s hard to decipher what this says about Jersey City’s future, but the influx in violent crime is disturbing. However, the overall violent crime rate in Jersey City is not much worse than the state’s rate.
Throughout New Jersey, you have a 1 in 493 chance of falling victim to a violent crime. Jersey City is only slightly more dangerous than the state’s average. Keep in mind that many of the violent crimes take place in dangerous areas, such as Bergen-Lafayette and The Heights.

What Are the Safest Neighborhoods in Jersey City?
Downtown, the Waterfront, and Liberty Park are among the safest neighborhoods in Jersey City. The crime rate in Liberty Park is 60% lower than in the rest of Jersey City. That makes Liberty Park the perfect neighborhood for families, especially with its proximity to great schools.
Hamilton Park is another area with a low crime rate and many recreational opportunities. The Heights and Hackensack Riverfront continue to become better places to live as well.
What Are the Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Jersey City?
Greenville, Bergen-Lafayette, and Journal Square are among the most dangerous neighborhoods in Jersey City. Part of what makes navigating Jersey City confusing is that unsafe areas are scattered throughout the city. For example, the West Side is relatively safer than the adjacent Lafayette North.
Like many big cities, you must be aware of your surroundings, especially when you go out at night. The Jersey City Division of Police now publishes crime data each quarter of the year. While they don’t specify exactly where each crime occurs, they do feature a map of their police districts.
Jersey City is constantly evolving and developing, so some once dangerous areas are now relatively safe. While Journal Square is still somewhat unsafe, it continues to develop and should eventually become safe. This may bring an increase in rent prices, but it also serves to instill comfort in Jersey City residents.
What to Consider Before Moving to Jersey City
It’s important to consider the cost of living before you move to Jersey City. Some areas in Jersey City, like Bergen-Lafayette and Greenville, are cheap, but they’re also dangerous. The average cost of rent in safe areas like Liberty Park is $2,205 which is much higher than dangerous neighborhoods.
Unfortunately, inflated rent prices are the tradeoff when you move to a safe neighborhood in Jersey City. This is worth it to many people who commute to New York City daily. After all, the cost of living in Jersey City is still lower than in NYC.
Jersey City boasts one of the best public school districts in New Jersey. You also have great healthcare options both in Jersey City and New York City. It’s easy enough to avoid the dangerous parts of Jersey City and enjoy the benefits of your proximity to New York City.
Call Optimum Moving for Your Jersey City Move
While Jersey City has its dangerous areas, we have seen the area’s many great neighborhoods firsthand. Close to New York City, our team has helped countless people move to Jersey City looking to shorten their commutes. Jersey City offers plenty of entertainment and employment opportunities for locals as well.
We have navigated nearly every neighborhood in Jersey City and feel comfortable enough to keep working there. Like anywhere else, it’s important to research your future neighborhood before you buy a house or sign a lease. Call Optimum Moving at (855) 315-6683 to get a quote for your upcoming Jersey City move.