City Comparison
Passaic vs Elizabeth
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elizabeth scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Passaic
Elizabeth
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elizabeth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Passaic.
Housing costs are a major driver: Passaic's average rent is
11% higher than Elizabeth's.
| Metric | Passaic | Elizabeth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,125 | $1,916 | +11% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $2,816 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elizabeth offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elizabeth delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Passaic is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Elizabeth.
| Metric | Passaic | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,704 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $55,371 | $66,555 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Passaic sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Passaic | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | 54.80°F |
| Summer High | 84.40°F | 84.30°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 25.00°F |
| Rainfall | 42.80 in | 43.10 in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | 19.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 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 Passaic.
Elizabeth scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Passaic leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Passaic | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 75.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elizabeth is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Passaic.
From a growth perspective, Elizabeth is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Passaic has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Passaic | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,337 | 141,675 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.35% | 0.87% |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.70% | 6.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Passaic
Advantages
Average rent of $2,125 offers a more accessible entry point into the New York metro area compared to nearby towns
Exceptional transit connectivity via NJ Transit rail and bus lines offering direct routes to New York City
Rich cultural diversity reflected in a vibrant culinary scene, local festivals, and active commercial districts
High urban walkability with dense neighborhood amenities and local parks situated along the Passaic River
Strategic geographic location within Passaic County providing rapid access to major highways like Route 21 and the Garden State Parkway
Drawbacks
Median household income of $55,371 lags behind the broader New Jersey state and county averages
High population density creates persistent challenges regarding street parking, traffic congestion, and limited open space
Local poverty rate of approximately 22.9% presents ongoing socio-economic hurdles for municipal services
Aged housing stock often requires significant maintenance and modernization investments for property owners
Proximity to major industrial corridors contributes to local environmental and air quality management challenges
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.
Passaic
#560New Jersey, USA
47.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,125
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.35%
Unemployment
5.70%
Livability
71
Business
67
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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