Elizabeth NJ vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 94,723 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.9 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 10.3% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 17.1% | 0.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 11.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $60,713 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $672,082 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Sandy
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 245 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1931 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, 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 245 in Sandy. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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