Is Jersey City, NJ safe?

It depends on the neighborhood. Of the 14 Jersey City neighborhoods we score (average 73/100), 13 are comfortable to walk around with normal awareness and 1 call for more care, especially after dark. Green means comfortable on foot; red means we would not walk it casually.

What makes up this score?

City average

Go, stay aware

Neighborhoods scored

13 comfortable to walk

Score mix

Go: 3
Go, stay aware: 10
Caution: 1
No-go after dark: 0

Top 10 safest neighborhoods in Jersey City

Best things to do in Jersey City

Stroll along the waterfront paths and sports complexes at Bayside Park
Sample regional jerk chicken and West Indian specialties along Martin Luther King Drive and Ocean Avenue
Explore the historic Victorian and Edwardian residential architecture along the southern stretch of Bergen Avenue
Stroll or jog along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway for unobstructed panoramic views of Manhattan.
Relax, play beach volleyball, or picnic on the urban sandy beach at Newport Green Park.
Browse national retailers and casual eateries across three levels at the Newport Centre shopping mall.
Visit the Apple Tree House (Museum of Jersey City History) to explore regional history and cultural exhibits.
Sample authentic Filipino, Mexican, and South Asian specialties along the Bergen Avenue dining corridor.

Getting around Jersey City

Transit

Direct rapid transit is provided by the Newport PATH station, providing 10-15 minute access to Manhattan, alongside the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Newport stop and NJ Transit buses.
Transit access is exceptional via the PATH train at Exchange Place station (a 2- to 5-minute walk) offering direct 4-minute rides to World Trade Center, alongside the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and NY Waterway ferry terminals.
Downtown is served by the PATH train with stations at Grove Street, Exchange Place, and Newport, alongside multiple NJ Transit bus routes and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail stops.

Biking & trails

Abundant Citi Bike docks operate across the neighborhood, connecting directly to the dedicated Hudson River Waterfront Walkway.
Citi Bike stations are densely situated throughout the area, providing seamless access directly onto the continuous Hudson River Waterfront Walkway.

Parking

Street parking is extremely scarce and restricted; visitors typically rely on multi-level garages such as the Newport South or Mall garages, which range from $15 to $30 per day.
Street parking is strictly regulated and virtually impossible to find during business hours; several paid parking garages are available along Christopher Columbus Drive and Hudson Street, generally charging $25 to $40 per day.

All Jersey City neighborhoods by safety score

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Jersey City safety questions

What is the safest neighborhood in Jersey City?

Newport (Jersey City) scores highest at 88/100, followed by Colgate Center (88) and Downtown Jersey City (86).

Is Jersey City safe to walk at night?

In the 3 green-rated areas, generally yes with normal awareness. In the 1 orange or red areas, stick to busy, lit streets or take a ride after dark.

Which Jersey City areas should visitors be careful in?

Our lowest-scoring areas are Greenville (Jersey City) (50), Croxton (68), McGinley Square (68). Visit in daylight and stay on the main streets.

How does VibeLoco score Jersey City neighborhoods?

Each score blends recent reported crime and local news with Census data on income, poverty and housing, refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately.