City Comparison
Brick vs Elizabeth
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brick scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brick
Elizabeth
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elizabeth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Brick.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brick's average rent is
12% higher than Elizabeth's.
| Metric | Brick | Elizabeth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,150 | $1,916 | +12% |
| Groceries | $460 | $400 | +15% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $140 | $90 | +56% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,175 | $2,816 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brick offers 5% higher 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 Brick is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Elizabeth.
| Metric | Brick | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $94,850 | $66,555 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Elizabeth sees 4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brick | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | 54.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.90°F | 84.30°F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | 25.00°F |
| Rainfall | 40.70 in | 43.10 in |
| Snowfall | 15.10 in | 19.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 249 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elizabeth has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Brick.
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 | Brick | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 75.0/100 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elizabeth is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Brick.
From a growth perspective, Elizabeth is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Brick has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brick | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,620 | 141,675 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.87% |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 6.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brick
Advantages
Proximity to Jersey Shore beaches such as Point Pleasant and Mantoloking
Extensive waterfront access with boating and lagoon living along the Metedeconk River
Violent and property crime rates significantly below the US national average
Presence of Ocean Medical Center providing top-tier local healthcare access
High rate of homeownership and established suburban neighborhoods
Drawbacks
High property taxes typical of the New Jersey suburban market
Significant car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure within town
Seasonal traffic congestion along Route 70 and Route 88 during summer months
Rising housing costs and competitive rental market driven by coastal demand
Vulnerability to coastal storms and flooding in low-lying waterfront zones
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.
Brick
#365New Jersey, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,150
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
36.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
79
Business
70
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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