Elizabeth NJ vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Elizabeth +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 1.5% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 14.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Black | 17.1% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 0.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 2.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $43,238 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $26,868 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $46,995 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 9.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 26.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Jackson
247
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 247 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1808 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 46.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 18.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.3% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.1% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, 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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