Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elizabeth, NJ
VS
Kenosha, WI
🏆 Kenosha leads 17 of 23 categories
Elizabeth
New Jersey
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High
Population
135,665 ✓ Larger
Kenosha
Wisconsin
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,963 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
99,493
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 31°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $358,400
Higher rents — median is $1,390/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Property crime (2657.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Kenosha, WI
Pros
Homes cost $164k less ($194,400 vs $358,400)
30% less violent crime than Elizabeth
Rent averages $311/mo less ($1,079 vs $1,390)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (5.4%)
More college-educated — 27.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Elizabeth
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Elizabeth
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 86.9°F vs 83.8°F
Kenosha
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Kenosha
Median Income
$5,024
$64,963 vs $59,939/yr
Kenosha
Violent Crime
30% lower
285.7 vs 408.7 per 100k
Kenosha
Median Home Value
$164k less
$194,400 vs $358,400
Kenosha
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
5.4% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Kenosha, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $358,400⚠ High | $194,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,390⚠ High | $1,079 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,939 | $64,963 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 24.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.8% | 6.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 115⚠ High | 62 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.1% | 27.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.3% | 89.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elizabeth Public Schools | Kenosha School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.0°F ✓ Warmer | 31.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer | 83.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6" | 36.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 31.5" ✓ Less | 36.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,665 ✓ Larger | 99,493 |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.1% | 58.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% ✓ More | 23.7% |
| Over 65 | 11.4% | 13.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elizabeth's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Kenosha's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Kenosha is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Kenosha leads 17 of 23 categories. Elizabeth wins 6 and Kenosha wins 17. 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 Elizabeth to Kenosha or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($358,400 vs $194,400 median home), income ($59,939 vs $64,963), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elizabeth, NJ and Kenosha, WI are about 718 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.