Elizabeth NJ vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 13.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 17.1% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 12.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 398 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1999 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Raleigh, NC | 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
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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