Elizabeth NJ vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Westminster
23.7%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 115,546 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.5 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 8.2% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 17.1% | 1.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 23.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Westminster
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,653 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 512 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3234 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Westminster
28.6 min
Westminster +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 28.6 min | Westminster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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