Elizabeth NJ vs Long Beach 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Long Beach
24.7%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Long Beach
43.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 24.7% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 41.6% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 17.1% | 11.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 43.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Long Beach
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.5% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 34.8% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Long Beach
40.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $862,599 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 40.9% | Long Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Long Beach
2388
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Long Beach, 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%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Long Beach
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Long Beach
12.3 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 32.6 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, 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 Long Beach. Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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