Elizabeth NJ vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
San Jose
41.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
San Jose
29.0%
San Jose +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
San Jose
30.9%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.1 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 41.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 29.0% | San Jose + |
| Black | 17.1% | 2.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 30.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
San Jose
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $1,452,609 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 30.4 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
Compare More Cities
Elizabeth, NJ vs New York, NYElizabeth, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elizabeth, NJElizabeth, NJ vs Houston, TXElizabeth, NJ vs Phoenix, AZElizabeth, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA