Elizabeth NJ vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.2 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 5.5% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 27.7% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 17.1% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 4.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $55,687 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $51,690 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 20.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 400 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1734 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 46.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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