Elizabeth NJ vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Orem
10.5%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 86,973 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 10.5% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 17.1% | 1.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 30.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Orem
25.6%
Orem +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $60,713 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 25.6% | Orem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $509,396 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Orem
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 245 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1931 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Orem. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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