Elizabeth NJ vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.3 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 12.2% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 17.1% | 10.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 13.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 37.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.7% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 31.1 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma 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%.
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