Elizabeth NJ vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Madison
11.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 11.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 17.1% | 7.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 9.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $61,837 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 16.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 309 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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