Elizabeth NJ vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Sacramento
21.3%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Sacramento
36.8%
Sacramento +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 21.3% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 36.8% | Sacramento + |
| Black | 17.1% | 12.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 29.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Sacramento
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.9% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Sacramento
18.5 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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