Elizabeth, NJ vs Ruston, LA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Elizabeth
66.6
#1519 nationally
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Elizabeth leads in walk score (80 vs 25). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 26.7 min). Elizabeth leads in median household income ($59,939 vs $32,877).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.6 (#1519) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 135,829 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $548,370 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $59,939 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 80 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 11.2 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+24.2 | R+25.4 |
D
66.6 Score
Elizabeth, NJ
Mid-size New Jersey city with community character
Median Home
$548,370
Population
135,829
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
80
Northeast
View Elizabeth, NJ →
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →