Elizabeth NJ vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 11.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 17.1% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 13.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $62,995 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $58,697 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Indianapolis
1719
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 370 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1719 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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