Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Elizabeth, NJ
🏆 Chicago leads 12 of 23 categories
Chicago
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Elizabeth
New Jersey
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,665
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $11,734 more per year on average
Homes cost $54k less ($304,500 vs $358,400)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Elizabeth
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 87°F
Rent averages $76/mo less ($1,314 vs $1,390)
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 5.9%)
Longer commutes — 34.1 min average each way
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
24% less violent crime than Chicago
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (5.9%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 32°F
Cons
Median income trails Chicago by $11,734/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $358,400
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Property crime (2657.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Chicago
Median Income
$11,734
$71,673 vs $59,939/yr
Chicago
Median Home Value
$54k less
$304,500 vs $358,400
Elizabeth
Violent Crime
24% lower
408.7 vs 539.8 per 100k
Elizabeth
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
5.9% vs 8.2% unemployment
Elizabeth
Summer Heat
5.9°F warmer
July avg high 86.9°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Elizabeth, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 ✓ Lower | $358,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 ✓ Lower | $1,390⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 ✓ Higher | $59,939 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 26.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 4.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 14.1% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% ✓ Higher | 74.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Elizabeth Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 40.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" ✓ Drier | 46.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 31.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 135,665 |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% ✓ Higher | 25.1% |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 25.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Elizabeth's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Chicago is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chicago leads 12 of 23 categories. Chicago wins 12 and Elizabeth wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chicago to Elizabeth or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $358,400 median home), income ($71,673 vs $59,939), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Elizabeth, NJ are about 705 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.