Elizabeth NJ vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Riverside
54.6%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 22.4% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 17.1% | 6.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 54.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Riverside
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $648,603 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Riverside, 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%
Elizabeth +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 36.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.5% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Riverside
10.3 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 34.1 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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