Elizabeth NJ vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Newark
34.9%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Elizabeth +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 34.9% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 16.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Black | 17.1% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 37.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Newark
$77,416
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Newark
17.4%
Newark +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $48,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $25,509 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,416 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 10.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 24.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 17.4% | Newark + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Elizabeth +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $482,675 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 24.1% | Elizabeth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Newark
218
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Newark
1426
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 218 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1426 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Newark
23.4%
Newark +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 35.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.0% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 23.4% | Newark + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.2% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 35.9 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Elizabeth. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Newark 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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