Elizabeth NJ vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 3.4% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 17.1% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 8.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Toledo
21.0%
Toledo +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $47,532 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $27,407 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $58,300 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 8.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 24.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 21.0% | Toledo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Toledo
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 319 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1866 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Toledo
14.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 39.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.6% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 19.9% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Toledo
33.4 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 33.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Toledo. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, 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%.
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