Elizabeth NJ vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Salem
12.2%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 12.2% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 17.1% | 1.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 23.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,691 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 355 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3001 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 41.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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