Elizabeth NJ vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Stamford
31.8%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 135,806 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.2 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 31.8% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 17.1% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 28.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $708,498 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1524 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 30.1 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Elizabeth. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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