Elizabeth NJ vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Renton
44.4%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 75,721 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 44.4% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 17.1% | 2.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 6.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $765,686 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 383 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3409 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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