Elizabeth vs Newark, NJ
Property taxes, schools, NJ Transit pass and monthly cost for Elizabeth and Newark, side by side with sources.
At a glance
- Lower tax billNewark, $7,641 a year
More info
Newark has the lower 2025 average residential tax bill: $7,641 a year, $2,086 less than $9,727 in Elizabeth. Both are below the NJ average of $10,340.
- Median sale priceNewark $440,000 vs Elizabeth $550,000
More info
The median single-family sale price is $440,000 in Newark and $550,000 in Elizabeth, $110,000 more (GSMLS, 2025 closed sales).
- Monthly cost estimateNewark $3,260 vs Elizabeth $4,222
More info
On the site's monthly cost estimate (mortgage, property tax and NJ Transit pass, each on the town's median single-family sale price), Newark comes to $3,260 a month and Elizabeth to $4,222, a gap of $962.
- Peak commuteElizabeth 29 min vs Newark 18 min
More info
Peak commute is 29 minutes in Elizabeth and 18 minutes in Newark, 11 minutes shorter in Newark.
- NJ Transit passNewark $184 vs Elizabeth $255
More info
The NJ Transit monthly pass to NY Penn is $184 in Newark and $255 in Elizabeth, $71 more.
- Higher school resultsElizabeth: ELA, math; Newark: 4-year graduation
More info
On the district results, Elizabeth's district is higher on ELA (46.7% vs 34.3%) and math (28.4% vs 22.0%); Newark's district is higher on 4-year graduation (90.0% vs 88.4%).
Figures are from the data file, version 2.4.2. Estimates are labeled. Sources and dates are in each section below. Add a third town in the compare tool.
Monthly cost
Estimated monthly cost Estimate
- Mortgage (principal and interest)
- Property tax
- NJ Transit pass
- Elizabeth$4,222 / monthMortgage $2,999 · Property tax $968 · NJ Transit pass $255 · on a $550,000 median single-family home
- Newark$3,260 / monthMortgage $2,399 · Property tax $676 · NJ Transit pass $184 · on a $440,000 median single-family home
More info
Each town uses its own headline median sale price, single-family unless the town's label says otherwise (GSMLS, 2025 closed sales), and its 2025 effective tax rate. Mortgage is the monthly mortgage in the data: Principal & interest only; excludes taxes and insurance. Calculated at a 7.24% 30-year fixed rate, 20% down, 30-year term. Excludes insurance, utilities, maintenance and HOA fees. Change the numbers in the calculator.
Home prices
Source: GSMLS, 2025 closed sales
Property taxes
Average residential tax bill, 2025
- Elizabeth$9,727 / year$613 below the NJ average
- Newark$7,641 / year$2,699 below the NJ average
- NJ average$10,340 / yearState total, same series as the town bills
More info
Bills compare better than raw tax rates, because towns assess homes at different shares of market value.
Schools
Commute
Peak commute time
- Elizabeth29 min
More info
Typical from North Elizabeth: 32 min, median trip time of the scheduled trips arriving 7:00-9:00 AM on Wed 2026-11-18 (one itinerary per departure; dominated options excluded). Based on 4 trips.
- Newark18 min
More info
Typical from Newark Penn Station: 20 min, median trip time of the scheduled trips arriving 7:00-9:00 AM on Wed 2026-11-18 (one itinerary per departure; dominated options excluded). Based on 19 trips.
Full pages: Elizabeth · Newark. Find a local expert if you want help weighing these two towns.