Elizabeth NJ vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
San Francisco
34.2%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
San Francisco
40.5%
San Francisco +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 39.7 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 34.2% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 40.5% | San Francisco + |
| Black | 17.1% | 5.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 15.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
San Francisco
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
San Francisco
38.5%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $1,369,171 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 38.5% | San Francisco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 33.9 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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