Camden, NJ vs Elizabeth, NJ

The cost of living difference between Camden, NJ and Elizabeth, NJ is dramatic. Camden is 31.8% cheaper than Elizabeth, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Camden has a cost index of 79 while Elizabeth sits at 116, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Camden is $1,157/month compared to $1,463/month in Elizabeth — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Camden is more affordable at $100,400 median vs $393,500.

Median household income in Camden is $40,450 compared to $63,874 in Elizabeth (-36.7%). While Elizabeth is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Camden spend roughly 34.3% of their income on rent, more than the 27.5% in Elizabeth. The Elizabeth ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.