Elizabeth NJ vs New Rochelle NY — 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 Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
New Rochelle
48,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
New Rochelle
40.7
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
New Rochelle
4.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
New Rochelle
2.3%
New Rochelle +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
New Rochelle
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 48,198 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 40.7 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 4.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 66.1% | New Rochelle + |
| Black | 17.1% | 17.8% | New Rochelle + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.3% | New Rochelle + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 8.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
New Rochelle
$48,535
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
New Rochelle
$30,033
New Rochelle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
New Rochelle
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
New Rochelle
23.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
New Rochelle
22.8%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $48,535 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $30,033 | New Rochelle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,425 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 9.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 23.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 22.8% | New Rochelle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
New Rochelle
$920,484
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $920,484 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 57.5% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
New Rochelle
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
New Rochelle
1736
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 434 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1736 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
New Rochelle
14.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 26.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 13.8% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.3% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
New Rochelle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 20.0 min | New Rochelle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New Rochelle. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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