Elizabeth NJ vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 98,677 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.0 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 7.5% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 17.1% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 8.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $52,671 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $69,581 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 19.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 240 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1726 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 41.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.4% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.7% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Roanoke. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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