Elizabeth NJ vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
New Haven
17.7%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
New Haven
36.8%
New Haven +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
New Haven
31.2%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 132,893 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 17.7% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 36.8% | New Haven + |
| Black | 17.1% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 31.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $53,771 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 7.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 25.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
New Haven
28.4%
New Haven +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 28.4% | New Haven + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
New Haven
1524
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1524 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 37.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.9% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 14.7% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Elizabeth. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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