Elizabeth NJ vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.4 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 9.1% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 17.1% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 8.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $69,581 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Virginia Beach
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 240 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1726 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 36.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 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