Elizabeth NJ vs Kansas City 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 8.5% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 17.1% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 12.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $58,527 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, 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 +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 38.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.6% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 23.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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