Elizabeth NJ vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.5 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 13.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 17.1% | 3.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 17.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Vancouver
$510,577
Vancouver +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $510,577 | Vancouver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Vancouver, 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 +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 36.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.1% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while vancouver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,577. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Vancouver. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver 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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