Elizabeth NJ vs Kent 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Kent
35.8
Tie
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Kent
14.1%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 84,389 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.8 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 14.1% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 17.1% | 2.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.9% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 31.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Kent
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $657,911 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kent, 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%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
Compare More Cities
Elizabeth, NJ vs New York, NYElizabeth, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elizabeth, NJElizabeth, NJ vs Houston, TXElizabeth, NJ vs Phoenix, AZElizabeth, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA