Elizabeth NJ vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.2 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 6.1% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 17.1% | 2.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 7.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Spokane, 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%
Elizabeth +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 35.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.6% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
Compare More Cities
Elizabeth, NJ vs New York, NYElizabeth, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elizabeth, NJElizabeth, NJ vs Houston, TXElizabeth, NJ vs Phoenix, AZElizabeth, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA