Elizabeth, NJ Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 90% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Elizabeth Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Elizabeth has a crime rate that is 57% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 195.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 195
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
34% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 29
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
91% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Elizabeth Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
165 | +65% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
130 | +30% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
165 | +65% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
102 | +2% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
135 | +35% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
184 | +84% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
175 | +75% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Elizabeth Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Elizabeth Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Elizabeth zip codes.
Elizabeth Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Elizabeth, NJ?
Elizabeth, NJ has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 57% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 195 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 29 chance for property crime. Elizabeth has higher crime than 90% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Elizabeth, NJ safe to live in?
Elizabeth has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Elizabeth is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Elizabeth?
The estimated violent crime rate in Elizabeth is 511.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 195 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.3 per 100K (65% above average); aggravated assault at 347.3 per 100K (30% above average); robbery at 122.0 per 100K (65% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Elizabeth?
The estimated property crime rate in Elizabeth is 3,503.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 91% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 29 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 365.4 per 100K (35% above average); larceny/theft at 2,581.7 per 100K (84% above average); vehicle theft at 556.8 per 100K (75% above average).
How does Elizabeth crime compare to the national average?
Elizabeth's overall crime rate is 57% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (84% above average), while rape is 2% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Elizabeth has higher crime than 90% of them.
Is Elizabeth safe to visit?
Visitors to Elizabeth should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 91% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Elizabeth crime compare to the rest of New Jersey?
New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Elizabeth's crime rate is 57% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical New Jersey city.
What type of crime is most common in Elizabeth?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Elizabeth, with an estimated rate of 2,581.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 84% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,504 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (512 per 100K) in Elizabeth, which is consistent with national trends.