Living in Elizabeth, New Jersey
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Elizabeth · Census data 2020–2024
Elizabeth has 137,302 residents with a median age of 35.8. The median household income is $66,555 (36% lower than the New Jersey median), the median home value is $449,300, the median rent is $1,523/month.
Elizabeth at a glance
- Population
- 137,302
- Median age
- 35.8State: 40.1
- Median household income
- $66,555State: $103,556
- Median home value
- $449,300State: $454,400
- Median rent
- $1,523/moState: $1,720
- Homeowners
- 25.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.6%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Elizabeth a good place to live?
Pros: Home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 27 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 36% lower than the New Jersey median; unemployment of 7.7%; a poverty rate of 15.7%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Elizabeth
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Elizabeth the median home value is $449,300, 35% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,523 per month, which is 32% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,916 a month in housing costs.
Elizabeth median household income
The median household income in Elizabeth is $66,555 and the income per person is $28,969. 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line (New Jersey: 9.7%).
Housing in Elizabeth: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 48,976
- Owner-occupied
- 25.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 74.4%
- Vacant
- 5.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1957
- Average household size
- 2.95
Elizabeth demographics
- Population
- 137,302
- Median age
- 35.8
- Under 18
- 25.6%
- 65 and older
- 11.9%
- Households
- 46,121
- Foreign-born
- 51.6%
- Veterans
- 1.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Elizabeth ›
Education in Elizabeth
14.6% of adults 25 and older in Elizabeth have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Jersey: 43.6%), and 4.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Elizabeth
- Unemployment rate
- 7.7%State: 6.3%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 31 min
- Work from home
- 6.3%
- Drive alone
- 57.9%
- Public transit
- 11%
- Walk to work
- 4.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 89%
Elizabeth vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 137,302 | $66,555 | $449,300 | $1,523 |
| Hillside | 22,349 | $99,528 | $397,400 | $1,794 |
| Linden | 44,192 | $92,915 | $419,700 | $1,731 |
| Roselle | 22,646 | $92,762 | $379,900 | $1,567 |
| Roselle Park | 14,093 | $109,679 | $443,200 | $1,663 |
| Newark | 310,178 | $52,060 | $373,700 | $1,392 |
| Bayonne | 71,553 | $83,887 | $460,100 | $1,682 |
| Union | 61,071 | $119,464 | $451,300 | $2,064 |
| Irvington | 60,867 | $61,609 | $335,600 | $1,386 |
More for people moving to Elizabeth
Elizabeth ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Elizabeth: FAQ
What is the median household income in Elizabeth, NJ?
The median household income in Elizabeth is $66,555, 36% lower than the New Jersey median of $103,556 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Elizabeth?
The median home value in Elizabeth is $449,300, compared with $454,400 in New Jersey.
How much is rent in Elizabeth?
The median gross rent in Elizabeth is $1,523 per month, about 32% of household income.
Is Elizabeth, NJ a good place to live?
Pluses: home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 27 minutes. Minuses: median household income 36% lower than the New Jersey median; unemployment of 7.7%; a poverty rate of 15.7%.
What is the median age in Elizabeth?
The median age in Elizabeth is 35.8 years (New Jersey: 40.1).
How long is the commute in Elizabeth?
The average commute to work in Elizabeth is 27 minutes; 6.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Elizabeth?
The unemployment rate in Elizabeth is 7.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Elizabeth?
14.6% of adults in Elizabeth have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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