Elizabeth NJ vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 10.0% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 17.1% | 9.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 18.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $63,072 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $61,860 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 449 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2174 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 39.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.3% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita 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