Skip to main content
Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Elizabeth, NJ vs Newark, NJ

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

Summary

Elizabeth spends 5.3% more per capita than Newark ($1,053/person difference). Elizabeth, NJ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 61/100).

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
Newark, NJ
Pop. 307,355
C
54/100
Budget Balance1
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency88
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Elizabeth
Newark
Total Spending
$2.9B
$6.2B
Spending / Capita
$21,067
$20,014
Total Revenue
$1.8B
$1.5B
Revenue / Capita
$13,041
$4,833
Total Debt
$0
$72.6M
Debt / Capita
$0
$236
Population
135,665
307,355
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Elizabeth$437
Newark$414
Highways & Roads
Elizabeth$599
Newark$578
Parks & Recreation
Elizabeth$980
Newark$350
Health
Elizabeth$332
Newark$340

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ElizabethNewark
Property Tax
$0
$34
Sales Tax
$528
$8
Income Tax
$24
$0
Intergovernmental
$1,021
$2,457
Charges & Fees
$2,319
$1,848
Other
$0
$2,165

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ElizabethNewark
Fire Protection
$437
$414
Highways & Roads
$599
$578
Public Welfare
$225
$609
Health
$332
$340
Hospitals
$3,386
$5,702
Parks & Recreation
$980
$350
Housing
$3,768
$5,110
Sewerage
$178
$113
Utilities
$928
$2,504
Other
$10,234
$4,295
C
Elizabeth, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health
C
Newark, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 54/100
Average fiscal health

Compare More Cities