City Comparison
Elizabeth vs Union City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elizabeth scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elizabeth
Union City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elizabeth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Union City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elizabeth's average rent is
26% lower than Union City's.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Union City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,916 | $2,600 | -26% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $110 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,816 | $3,540 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Union City offers 4% 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 Elizabeth is estimated at
$55,000 vs $62,000 in Union City.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Union City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 55,738 idx |
| Household Income | $66,555 | $64,310 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.099999999999994°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Union City sees 0.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Union City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.80°F | 54.70°F |
| Summer High | 84.30°F | 85.00°F |
| Winter Low | 25.00°F | 24.70°F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | 42.30 in |
| Snowfall | 19.10 in | 19.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 248 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elizabeth has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Union City.
Union City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Union City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Union City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 33 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/100 | 82.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 89.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elizabeth is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Union City.
From a growth perspective, Elizabeth is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Union City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Union City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,675 | 66,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.87% | — |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.4 |
| Unemployment | 6.10% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Union City
Advantages
Median home property value remains more affordable than neighboring Hoboken and downtown Jersey City per 2024 Census data
Exceptional public transit connectivity featuring direct express buses to Manhattan's Port Authority in under 30 minutes
Highly walkable urban environment with dense commercial corridors like Bergenline Avenue meeting daily needs on foot
Rich cultural vibrancy and culinary diversity anchored by a prominent Hispanic heritage and community events
Proximity to major regional employment centers in New York City and Hudson County without waterfront luxury price tags
Drawbacks
High population density creates severe street parking shortages and competitive parking rules
Rental prices have risen steadily, putting cost pressure on lower-income households in the local market
Limited availability of single-family homes and private green spaces within city limits
A poverty rate exceeding 21% highlights persistent economic challenges among segments of the population
Aged housing stock in older multi-family buildings often requires frequent maintenance and capital repairs
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Union City
#550New Jersey, USA
48.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,600
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
82.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
54.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
75
Business
67
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