Elizabeth NJ vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Yonkers
32.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Yonkers
38.0%
Yonkers +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Yonkers
44.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 39.0 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 32.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 38.0% | Yonkers + |
| Black | 17.1% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 44.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 7.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Yonkers
47.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $685,544 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 47.2% | Yonkers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Yonkers
1736
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 434 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1736 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Yonkers
12.4%
Yonkers +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Yonkers
12.7%
Yonkers +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 12.7% | Yonkers + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 37.5 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Yonkers. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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