Anaheim CA vs Elizabeth NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 135,887 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 41.2% | 24.8% | Anaheim + |
| Black | 2.5% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 1.8% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $63,874 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $28,490 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.9% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 15.3% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 14.2% | Anaheim + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $531,592 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 25.4% | Anaheim + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 34.8% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.7% | Anaheim + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 28.1% | Anaheim + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.0% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 29.3 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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