Elizabeth NJ vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.2 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 11.2% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 17.1% | 4.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 26.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 450 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2150 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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