Elizabeth NJ vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
36.3%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 67,231 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 42.5 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 36.3% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 17.1% | 2.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 7.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $1,215,642 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, 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%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Pasadena
21.2 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 21.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
Elizabeth, NJ vs New York, NYElizabeth, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elizabeth, NJElizabeth, NJ vs Houston, TXElizabeth, NJ vs Phoenix, AZElizabeth, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA