Elizabeth NJ vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 91,535 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 42.9 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 23.2% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 17.1% | 4.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 16.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Santa Ana
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Santa Ana
28.8%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $865,610 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 28.8% | Santa Ana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Santa Ana
20.7%
Santa Ana +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.7% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 20.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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