Elizabeth NJ vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 113,714 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 40.7 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 4.5% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 17.1% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 3.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $68,110 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.7% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 16.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 344 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1842 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 41.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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