Elizabeth NJ vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 121,537 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.1 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 6.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 17.1% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 7.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $61,454 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $55,297 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 19.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 643 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2824 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.4% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.1% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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