Elizabeth NJ vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 11.0% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 17.1% | 14.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 9.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $52,606 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Lexington
223
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Lexington
1505
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 223 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1505 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 223 in Lexington. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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