Elizabeth NJ vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 118,578 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.5 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 5.7% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 17.1% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 8.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 16.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 398 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1999 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 42.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem 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