Elizabeth NJ vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Salinas
36.3%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Elizabeth +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 36.3% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 21.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Black | 17.1% | 1.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Salinas
$28,813
Salinas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Salinas
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Salinas
15.5%
Salinas +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $28,813 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 15.5% | Salinas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $751,711 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Salinas
22.4%
Salinas +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.2% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 22.4% | Salinas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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