Elizabeth NJ vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 23.2% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 17.1% | 12.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 24.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 19.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 326 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 35.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.9% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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