Elizabeth NJ vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 10.8% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 17.1% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 20.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $51,888 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $29,679 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $61,837 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 23.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 41.5% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 309 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 41.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.1% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.3% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Milwaukee, 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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%.
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