Elizabeth NJ vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Gresham
16.5%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Gresham
21.1%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 112,818 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.2 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 16.5% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 17.1% | 4.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 21.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Gresham
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Gresham
23.6%
Gresham +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $35,390 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,691 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 23.6% | Gresham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $472,119 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Gresham
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 355 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3001 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Gresham
15.3%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.4% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.0% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Gresham
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Gresham
28.8 min
Gresham +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 28.8 min | Gresham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Gresham. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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