Elizabeth NJ vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
New Orleans
31.6%
New Orleans +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.4 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 6.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 31.6% | New Orleans + |
| Black | 17.1% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 7.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $55,339 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $55,297 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 7.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 22.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 643 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2824 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.4% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.5% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Orleans, LA | 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
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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