Elizabeth NJ vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Independence
5.3%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 121,944 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.4 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 5.3% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 17.1% | 10.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 12.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $59,480 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $58,527 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 20.9% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 501 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2418 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 37.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.9% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.4% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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