Elizabeth NJ vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Hartford
23.0%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Hartford
26.4%
Hartford +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Hartford
44.8%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 119,970 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 23.0% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 26.4% | Hartford + |
| Black | 17.1% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 44.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Hartford
18.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $45,300 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $27,319 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 10.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 25.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 18.3% | Hartford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Hartford
25.8%
Hartford +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 25.8% | Hartford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Hartford
1524
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1524 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Hartford
20.3%
Hartford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 40.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 20.3% | Hartford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.3% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Elizabeth. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
Compare More Cities
Elizabeth, NJ vs New York, NYElizabeth, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elizabeth, NJElizabeth, NJ vs Houston, TXElizabeth, NJ vs Phoenix, AZElizabeth, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA