Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elizabeth, NJ
VS
Montgomery, AL
🏆 Montgomery leads 16 of 23 categories
Elizabeth
New Jersey
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,665
Montgomery
Alabama
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,166
Violent Crime Index
156⚠ High
Population
199,819 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
31% less violent crime than Montgomery
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.9%)
Households earn $5,773 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 94°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
Cost of living runs 22% higher than Montgomery
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Montgomery, AL
Pros
Homes cost $217k less ($141,900 vs $358,400)
Rent averages $364/mo less ($1,026 vs $1,390)
22% cheaper overall cost of living than Elizabeth
More college-educated — 33.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 40°F
Cons
Violent crime (594.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 5.9%)
Median income trails Elizabeth by $5,773/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Elizabeth
Median Income
$5,773
$59,939 vs $54,166/yr
Elizabeth
Violent Crime
31% lower
408.7 vs 594.6 per 100k
Elizabeth
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.2% unemployment
Montgomery
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Montgomery
Median Home Value
$217k less
$141,900 vs $358,400
Montgomery
Summer Heat
7.3°F warmer
July avg high 94.2°F vs 86.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Montgomery, AL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $358,400⚠ High | $141,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,390⚠ High | $1,026 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,939 ✓ Higher | $54,166 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 19.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.8% | 6.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 136⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 156⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High | 106⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.1% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.3% | 87.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elizabeth Public Schools | Montgomery County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.0°F | 60.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F | 94.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6" ✓ Drier | 54.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 31.5" | 0.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,665 | 199,819 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.1% | 53.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% ✓ More | 23.7% |
| Over 65 | 11.4% | 15.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elizabeth's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Montgomery's 90.8 (US average = 100).
Montgomery is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Montgomery leads 16 of 23 categories. Elizabeth wins 7 and Montgomery wins 16. 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 Montgomery or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($358,400 vs $141,900 median home), income ($59,939 vs $54,166), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elizabeth, NJ and Montgomery, AL are about 882 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.