Concord 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Concord
54.7%
Concord +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 54.7% | 24.8% | Concord + |
| Black | 22.1% | 17.1% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 1.8% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $63,874 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $28,490 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.9% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 15.3% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 14.2% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Concord +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $531,592 | Concord + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 25.4% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Concord, 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
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 34.8% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.7% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.8% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 28.1% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.0% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Concord, 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
Concord
29.7 min
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 29.3 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while concord offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $384,688. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Concord. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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