Elizabeth NJ vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Overland Park
10.7%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Overland Park
12.6%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 143,720 | Overland Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.6 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 10.7% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 17.1% | 4.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 12.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Overland Park
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $61,860 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Overland Park
$487,466
Overland Park +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $487,466 | Overland Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 449 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2174 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Overland Park, KS | 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
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 22.4 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while overland Park offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,466. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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