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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Elizabeth, NJ vs Jersey City, NJ

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Jersey City spends 0.3% more per capita than Elizabeth ($69/person difference). Jersey City, NJ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Elizabeth, NJ
Pop. 135,665
C
61/100
Budget Balance10
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency55
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Jersey City, NJ
Pop. 287,899
B
70/100
Budget Balance31
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency83
Revenue Diversity99
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Elizabeth
Jersey City
Total Spending
$2.9B
$6.1B
Spending / Capita
$21,067
$21,136
Total Revenue
$1.8B
$4.5B
Revenue / Capita
$13,041
$15,583
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
135,665
287,899
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Elizabeth$437
Jersey City$275
Highways & Roads
Elizabeth$599
Jersey City$173
Parks & Recreation
Elizabeth$980
Jersey City$248
Health
Elizabeth$332
Jersey City$634

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ElizabethJersey City
Sales Tax
$528
$420
Income Tax
$24
$603
Intergovernmental
$1,021
$4,168
Charges & Fees
$2,319
$2,474
Other
$0
$3,297

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ElizabethJersey City
Fire Protection
$437
$275
Highways & Roads
$599
$173
Public Welfare
$225
$953
Health
$332
$634
Hospitals
$3,386
$3,827
Parks & Recreation
$980
$248
Housing
$3,768
$4,412
Sewerage
$178
$155
Utilities
$928
$3,426
Other
$10,234
$7,033
C
Elizabeth, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health
B
Jersey City, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health

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