Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elizabeth, NJ
VS
Salem, OR
🏆 Salem leads 15 of 23 categories
Elizabeth
New Jersey
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,665
Salem
Oregon
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,540 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
175,754 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
23% less violent crime than Salem
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
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
Median income trails Salem by $7,601/yr
Salem, OR
Pros
More college-educated — 31.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $166/mo less ($1,224 vs $1,390)
Households earn $7,601 more per year on average
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Elizabeth
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 40°F
Cons
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Elizabeth
Violent Crime
23% lower
408.7 vs 532.2 per 100k
Elizabeth
Summer Heat
3.4°F warmer
July avg high 86.9°F vs 83.5°F
Salem
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.4 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Salem
Median Income
$7,601
$67,540 vs $59,939/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 102.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $358,400⚠ High | $349,500⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,390⚠ High | $1,224 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,939 | $67,540 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.8% | 12.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 137⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 140⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 133⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.1% | 31.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.3% | 88.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elizabeth Public Schools | Salem-Keizer SD 24J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.0°F | 48.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6" | 46.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 31.5" | 1.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,665 | 175,754 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.1% | 54.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.4% | 15.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elizabeth's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Salem's 102.4 (US average = 100).
Salem is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Salem leads 15 of 23 categories. Elizabeth wins 8 and Salem wins 15. 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 Salem or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($358,400 vs $349,500 median home), income ($59,939 vs $67,540), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elizabeth, NJ and Salem, OR are about 2,455 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.