City Comparison
Edison vs Elizabeth
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Edison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Edison
Elizabeth
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elizabeth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Edison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Edison's average rent is
15% higher than Elizabeth's.
| Metric | Edison | Elizabeth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,916 | +15% |
| Groceries | $480 | $400 | +20% |
| Utilities | $185 | $180 | +3% |
| Transport | $140 | $90 | +56% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,235 | $2,816 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Edison offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Edison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Edison is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Elizabeth.
| Metric | Edison | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,129 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $105,000 | $66,555 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Elizabeth sees 2.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Edison | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.00°F | 54.80°F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | 84.30°F |
| Winter Low | 24.90°F | 25.00°F |
| Rainfall | 41.30 in | 43.10 in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | 19.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 249 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elizabeth has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Edison.
Elizabeth scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Elizabeth leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Edison | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 75.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elizabeth is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Edison.
From a growth perspective, Elizabeth is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Edison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Edison | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,585 | 141,675 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.87% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 6.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Edison
Advantages
Edison Public Schools rank consistently high in academic performance and college readiness within New Jersey.
Exceptional commuter access via two Northeast Corridor NJ Transit stations and major highways like I-287 and the NJ Turnpike.
Rich cultural diversity reflected in a vibrant array of authentic dining, grocery stores, and community festivals.
Abundant recreational green spaces, notably the sprawling Roosevelt Park with its lake and cultural arts center.
Strong local economy anchored by major corporate presence, healthcare, and professional services.
Drawbacks
High property taxes and cost of living compared to the national average.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major thoroughfares such as Route 1 and Interstate 287.
Fierce competition and high price points in the local housing and real estate market.
High degree of car dependency for daily errands outside of immediate transit and commercial zones.
Limited new single-family housing inventory driving up purchase prices.
Elizabeth
Advantages
Median household income grew by 4.2% to $66,555 per the U.S. Census Bureau.
Exceptional public transit connectivity via NJ Transit rail and bus networks linking directly to New York City.
Strategic economic location adjacent to Newark Liberty International Airport and major port logistics hubs.
Vibrant multicultural community featuring diverse global dining, local markets, and cultural festivals.
Proximity to major higher education institutions, including Kean University located nearby in Union County.
Drawbacks
Poverty rate stands at approximately 15.7%, presenting ongoing socioeconomic challenges for a portion of residents.
High regional property taxes and housing costs typical of the New York metropolitan commuter zone.
Persistent urban traffic congestion along major freight corridors and highway intersections like Routes 1 and 9.
Limited single-family home inventory, leading to a highly competitive housing and rental market.
Industrial density in certain sectors contributes to localized environmental and air quality concerns.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Edison
#410New Jersey, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
55.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
Elizabeth
#468New Jersey, USA
54.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,916
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
75.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
54.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.87%
Unemployment
6.10%
Livability
73
Business
69
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