Elizabeth NJ vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.7 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 9.8% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 17.1% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 8.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $52,606 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 16.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Louisville
223
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Louisville
1505
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Louisville, 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%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 223 in Louisville. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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