Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 135,887 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.8 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 41.5% | 24.8% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 17.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.8% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $63,874 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $28,490 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 15.3% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 14.2% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $531,592 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 25.4% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.8% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.7% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.8% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 28.1% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.0% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 29.3 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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