Elizabeth NJ vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Providence
32.8%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Providence
44.3%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 32.8% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 17.1% | 13.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 44.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $64,538 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 7.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 20.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 41.2% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.6% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Elizabeth. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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