Elizabeth NJ vs Henderson NV — 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%
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Henderson
324,523
Henderson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Henderson
42.5
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Henderson
14.1%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Henderson
64.7%
Henderson +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Henderson
6.2%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Henderson
9.5%
Henderson +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Henderson
18.3%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 324,523 | Henderson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 42.5 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 14.1% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 64.7% | Henderson + |
| Black | 17.1% | 6.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 9.5% | Henderson + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 18.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Henderson
$88,654
Henderson +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Henderson
$49,141
Henderson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Henderson
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Henderson
6.7%
Henderson +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Henderson
8.4%
Henderson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Henderson
36.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $88,654 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $49,141 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $62,696 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.7% | Henderson + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 8.4% | Henderson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 36.8% | Henderson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Henderson
$487,098
Henderson +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Henderson
65.6%
Henderson +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $487,098 | Henderson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 65.6% | Henderson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Henderson
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Henderson
2417
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 460 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2417 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Henderson
28.9%
Henderson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Henderson
10.9%
Henderson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Henderson
17.5%
Henderson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Henderson
10.3%
Henderson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Henderson
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Henderson
12.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 28.9% | Henderson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.9% | Henderson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.5% | Henderson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 10.3% | Henderson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.8% | Henderson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Henderson, NV | 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
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Henderson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Henderson
26.0 min
Henderson +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 26.0 min | Henderson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Henderson leads in median household income at $88,654, while henderson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,098. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Henderson. Henderson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Henderson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.9%.
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