Elizabeth NJ vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 19.0% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 17.1% | 7.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 41.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Phoenix, 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%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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