Elizabeth NJ vs Lancaster CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Lancaster
45.9%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 13.9% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 17.1% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 45.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Lancaster
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $29,766 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 7.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 20.1% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.3% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 33.0 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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