Atlanta GA vs Elizabeth NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 135,887 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.8 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 39.9% | 24.8% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 17.1% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.8% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $63,874 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $28,490 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 14.2% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $531,592 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 25.4% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 34.8% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.7% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.8% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 28.1% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.0% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 29.3 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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