Elizabeth NJ vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Memphis
25.0%
Memphis +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 7.4% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 25.0% | Memphis + |
| Black | 17.1% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 10.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $51,211 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,097 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 8.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 22.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 46.0% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 639 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2350 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 42.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.7% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 19.9% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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%.
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