City Comparison
Elizabeth vs Old Bridge
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Old Bridge scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elizabeth
Old Bridge
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elizabeth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Old Bridge.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elizabeth's average rent is
16% lower than Old Bridge's.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Old Bridge | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,916 | $2,287 | -16% |
| Groceries | $400 | $460 | -13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $195 | -8% |
| Transport | $90 | $140 | -36% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,816 | $3,312 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Old Bridge offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Old Bridge delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elizabeth is estimated at
$55,000 vs $65,000 in Old Bridge.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Old Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 62,903 idx |
| Household Income | $66,555 | $104,587 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Elizabeth sees 3.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Old Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.80°F | 55.10°F |
| Summer High | 84.30°F | 84.70°F |
| Winter Low | 25.00°F | 25.10°F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | 40.50 in |
| Snowfall | 19.10 in | 15.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 254 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elizabeth has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Old Bridge.
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 | Elizabeth | Old Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 34 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elizabeth is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Old Bridge.
From a growth perspective, Elizabeth is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Old Bridge has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elizabeth | Old Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,675 | 70,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.87% | 0.58% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 42.3 |
| Unemployment | 6.10% | 4.10% |
| 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.
Old Bridge
Advantages
Median homeownership rate stands at a robust 73.9% per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to Cheesequake State Park provides expansive local outdoor recreation and green space.
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average.
Strategic location along major transit corridors like Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway.
High median household income reflecting a strong local professional demographic.
Drawbacks
Average one-way commute times exceed 33 minutes due to regional traffic congestion.
Overall cost of living and property taxes are notably higher than the national average.
High reliance on personal vehicles with limited internal public transit walkability.
Competitive housing market with limited rental inventory driving up average rents.
High exposure to regional traffic bottlenecks during peak commuting hours.
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
Old Bridge
#366New Jersey, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,287
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
55.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
79
Business
70
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