Elizabeth NJ vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 41.6 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 6.8% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 17.1% | 4.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 19.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 450 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2150 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Surprise
14.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 32.8 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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