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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Newark, NJ vs Jersey City, NJ

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Jersey City spends 5.3% more per capita than Newark ($1,122/person difference). Jersey City, NJ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Newark, NJ
Pop. 307,355
C
54/100
Budget Balance1
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency88
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Jersey City, NJ
Pop. 287,899
B
70/100
Budget Balance31
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency83
Revenue Diversity99
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Newark
Jersey City
Total Spending
$6.2B
$6.1B
Spending / Capita
$20,014
$21,136
Total Revenue
$1.5B
$4.5B
Revenue / Capita
$4,833
$15,583
Total Debt
$72.6M
$0
Debt / Capita
$236
$0
Population
307,355
287,899
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Newark$414
Jersey City$275
Highways & Roads
Newark$578
Jersey City$173
Parks & Recreation
Newark$350
Jersey City$248
Health
Newark$340
Jersey City$634

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

NewarkJersey City
Property Tax
$34
$0
Sales Tax
$8
$420
Income Tax
$0
$603
Intergovernmental
$2,457
$4,168
Charges & Fees
$1,848
$2,474
Other
$2,165
$3,297

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

NewarkJersey City
Fire Protection
$414
$275
Highways & Roads
$578
$173
Public Welfare
$609
$953
Health
$340
$634
Hospitals
$5,702
$3,827
Parks & Recreation
$350
$248
Housing
$5,110
$4,412
Sewerage
$113
$155
Utilities
$2,504
$3,426
Other
$4,295
$7,033
C
Newark, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 54/100
Average fiscal health
B
Jersey City, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health

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