Elizabeth NJ vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Portland
11.1%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 68,505 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.5 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 11.1% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 17.1% | 9.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 3.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $61,587 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $561,069 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Portland
17.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Elizabeth. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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