Elizabeth NJ vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 115,415 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.9 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 14.8% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 17.1% | 5.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 13.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $75,331 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 35.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Elizabeth. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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