Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elizabeth, NJ
VS
Minneapolis, MN
🏆 Minneapolis leads 14 of 23 categories
Elizabeth
New Jersey
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,665
Minneapolis
Minnesota
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,332 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
65% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 22°F
Cons
Median income trails Minneapolis by $16,393/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Property crime (2657.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher rents — median is $1,390/mo
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $16,393 more per year on average
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Rent averages $123/mo less ($1,267 vs $1,390)
Homes cost $30k less ($328,700 vs $358,400)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Elizabeth
Cons
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 40" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Elizabeth
Violent Crime
65% lower
408.7 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Elizabeth
Summer Heat
3.8°F warmer
July avg high 86.9°F vs 83.1°F
Minneapolis
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Minneapolis
Median Income
$16,393
$76,332 vs $59,939/yr
Minneapolis
Median Home Value
$30k less
$328,700 vs $358,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $358,400⚠ High | $328,700⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,390⚠ High | $1,267 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,939 | $76,332 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.8% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 281⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 305⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 245⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.1% | 53.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.3% | 90.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elizabeth Public Schools | Minneapolis Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.0°F ✓ Warmer | 21.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer | 83.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6" | 33.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 31.5" ✓ Less | 40.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,665 | 426,877 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.7 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.1% | 48.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 11.4% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elizabeth's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Minneapolis's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Minneapolis is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Minneapolis leads 14 of 23 categories. Elizabeth wins 9 and Minneapolis wins 14. 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 Minneapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($358,400 vs $328,700 median home), income ($59,939 vs $76,332), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elizabeth, NJ and Minneapolis, MN are about 1,009 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.