Elizabeth NJ vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 112,546 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 10.1% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 17.1% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 12.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $52,170 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $58,052 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 8.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 19.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Lansing
1590
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 471 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1590 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 39.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.6% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.8% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lansing
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lansing
32.2 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, 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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