City Comparison
Union City vs Edison
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Edison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Union City
Edison
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Edison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Union City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Union City's average rent is
18% higher than Edison's.
| Metric | Union City | Edison | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,600 | $2,200 | +18% |
| Groceries | $420 | $480 | -13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $185 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $140 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,540 | $3,235 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Edison offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Edison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Union City is estimated at
$62,000 vs $65,000 in Edison.
| Metric | Union City | Edison |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $82,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,738 idx | 66,129 idx |
| Household Income | $64,310 | $105,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Union City sees 2.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Union City | Edison |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.70°F | 55.00°F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | 85.00°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 24.90°F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | 41.30 in |
| Snowfall | 19.30 in | 16.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 250 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Union City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Union City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Union City | Edison |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 33 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 82.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 89.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Edison is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Union City.
From a growth perspective, Edison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Edison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Union City | Edison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,221 | 107,585 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Union City
Advantages
Median home property value remains more affordable than neighboring Hoboken and downtown Jersey City per 2024 Census data
Exceptional public transit connectivity featuring direct express buses to Manhattan's Port Authority in under 30 minutes
Highly walkable urban environment with dense commercial corridors like Bergenline Avenue meeting daily needs on foot
Rich cultural vibrancy and culinary diversity anchored by a prominent Hispanic heritage and community events
Proximity to major regional employment centers in New York City and Hudson County without waterfront luxury price tags
Drawbacks
High population density creates severe street parking shortages and competitive parking rules
Rental prices have risen steadily, putting cost pressure on lower-income households in the local market
Limited availability of single-family homes and private green spaces within city limits
A poverty rate exceeding 21% highlights persistent economic challenges among segments of the population
Aged housing stock in older multi-family buildings often requires frequent maintenance and capital repairs
Edison
Advantages
Edison Public Schools rank consistently high in academic performance and college readiness within New Jersey.
Exceptional commuter access via two Northeast Corridor NJ Transit stations and major highways like I-287 and the NJ Turnpike.
Rich cultural diversity reflected in a vibrant array of authentic dining, grocery stores, and community festivals.
Abundant recreational green spaces, notably the sprawling Roosevelt Park with its lake and cultural arts center.
Strong local economy anchored by major corporate presence, healthcare, and professional services.
Drawbacks
High property taxes and cost of living compared to the national average.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major thoroughfares such as Route 1 and Interstate 287.
Fierce competition and high price points in the local housing and real estate market.
High degree of car dependency for daily errands outside of immediate transit and commercial zones.
Limited new single-family housing inventory driving up purchase prices.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Union City
#550New Jersey, USA
48.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,600
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
82.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
54.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
75
Business
67
Edison
#410New Jersey, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
55.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
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