Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Antioch, CA
VS
Elizabeth, NJ
🏆 Elizabeth leads 12 of 23 categories
Antioch
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,709 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
160⚠ High
Population
115,016
Elizabeth
New Jersey
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,939
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,665 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Antioch, CA
Pros
Households earn $30,770 more per year on average
More college-educated — 23.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 40°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $570,900
Higher rents — median is $2,150/mo
Violent crime (606.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $213k less ($358,400 vs $570,900)
Rent averages $760/mo less ($1,390 vs $2,150)
33% less violent crime than Antioch
Commutes run 18 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.9%)
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Antioch
Cons
Median income trails Antioch by $30,770/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Property crime (2657.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Antioch
Median Income
$30,770
$90,709 vs $59,939/yr
Antioch
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 91.4°F vs 86.9°F
Elizabeth
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 112.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Elizabeth
Violent Crime
33% lower
408.7 vs 606.8 per 100k
Elizabeth
Median Home Value
$213k less
$358,400 vs $570,900
Elizabeth
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Antioch, CA | Elizabeth, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 112.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $570,900⚠ High | $358,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,150⚠ High | $1,390⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $90,709 ✓ Higher | $59,939 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 44.9 min⚠ High | 26.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% ✓ Higher | 4.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 160⚠ High | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 152⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (80) | B- (91) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.5:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.0% ✓ Higher | 14.1% |
| High School or Higher | 85.6% ✓ Higher | 74.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Antioch Unified | Elizabeth Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.7°F ✓ Warmer | 40.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.4°F ✓ Warmer | 86.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.6" ✓ Drier | 46.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 31.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 115,016 | 135,665 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.2 ✓ Older | 35.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% ✓ Higher | 25.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.8% | 25.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Antioch's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Elizabeth's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Elizabeth is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elizabeth leads 12 of 23 categories. Antioch wins 11 and Elizabeth wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Antioch to Elizabeth or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($570,900 vs $358,400 median home), income ($90,709 vs $59,939), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Antioch, CA and Elizabeth, NJ are about 2,520 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.