Elizabeth NJ vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 14.1% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 17.1% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 10.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $69,467 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 16.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Minneapolis
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 284 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1992 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 30.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Minneapolis. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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