Elizabeth NJ vs Kennewick WA — 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%
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Kennewick
22.3%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 23,594 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.7 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 22.3% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 17.1% | 3.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 10.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Kennewick
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Kennewick
$433,399
Kennewick +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $433,399 | Kennewick + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Kennewick
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 383 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3409 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Kennewick
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 37.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.4% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 13.1% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Kennewick
7.7 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 32.4 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while kennewick offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $433,399. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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