Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 135,887 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.8 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 39.1% | 24.8% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 17.1% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.8% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $63,874 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $28,490 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 14.2% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $531,592 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 25.4% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 34.8% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.7% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.8% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 28.1% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.0% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 29.3 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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