Elizabeth, NJ vs Union City, NJ

Elizabeth, NJ and Union City, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Elizabeth scores 116 while Union City scores 121 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Elizabeth is $1,463/month compared to $1,489/month in Union City — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Elizabeth is more affordable at $393,500 median vs $446,800.

Median household income in Elizabeth is $63,874 compared to $65,369 in Union City (-2.3%). The higher salaries in Union City partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Elizabeth spend roughly 27.5% of their income on rent, more than the 27.3% in Union City.