Elizabeth NJ vs Oxnard 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%
Oxnard, CA
California · Population: 201,014
- Median HH Income$93,372
- Median Home Price$765,773
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Oxnard
201,014
Oxnard +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Oxnard
33.8%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Oxnard
36.9%
Oxnard +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Oxnard
1.8%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 201,014 | Oxnard + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.0 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 33.8% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 36.9% | Oxnard + |
| Black | 17.1% | 1.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 77.0% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Oxnard
$30,413
Oxnard +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Oxnard
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Oxnard
19.6%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $93,372 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $30,413 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 10.8% | Oxnard + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 19.6% | Oxnard + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Oxnard
$765,773
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Oxnard
53.9%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $765,773 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 53.9% | Oxnard + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Oxnard
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Oxnard
2388
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Oxnard, 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%
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Oxnard
12.8%
Oxnard +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Oxnard
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Oxnard
19.2%
Oxnard +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Oxnard
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Oxnard
12.0%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 28.4% | Oxnard + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.8% | Oxnard + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.9% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 19.2% | Oxnard + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.0% | Oxnard + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Oxnard
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Oxnard
15.3 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Oxnard +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Oxnard
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oxnard + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Oxnard
27.1 min
Oxnard +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 27.1 min | Oxnard + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, 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 Oxnard. Oxnard has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Oxnard has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oxnard scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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