Elizabeth NJ vs Grand Rapids MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 11.3% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.1% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 16.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $58,052 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 18.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Grand Rapids
1590
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 471 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1590 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 36.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.9% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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