East Orange, NJ vs Elizabeth, NJ

East Orange is moderately more affordable than Elizabeth, with a 7.9% lower cost of living index. East Orange scores 107 compared to 116 for Elizabeth, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elizabeth can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in East Orange is $1,372/month compared to $1,463/month in Elizabeth — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: East Orange is more affordable at $315,500 median vs $393,500.

Median household income in East Orange is $59,872 compared to $63,874 in Elizabeth (-6.3%). The higher salaries in Elizabeth partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of East Orange spend roughly 27.5% of their income on rent, less than the 27.5% in Elizabeth.