Elizabeth NJ vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
18.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
35.0%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 18.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 17.1% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 35.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Kansas City
20.2%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $59,183 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $28,059 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $61,860 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 17.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 20.2% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 449 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2174 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 41.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 18.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.3% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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