Elizabeth NJ vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 14.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 17.1% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 15.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $60,698 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,080 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 8.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 22.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 319 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1613 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 34.5 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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