Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chandler, AZ
VS
Clifton, NJ
🏆 Chandler leads 18 of 23 categories
Chandler
Arizona
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$99,374 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
275,618 ✓ Larger
Clifton
New Jersey
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$94,179
Violent Crime Index
44
Population
89,451
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chandler, AZ
Pros
20% less violent crime than Clifton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (133.4 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 39°F
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Clifton
More college-educated — 46.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Hot summers — July highs average 106°F
Clifton, NJ
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (165.8 vs 380/100k)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 106°F
Smaller class sizes — 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Chandler
Higher unemployment (6.4% vs 3.8%)
Longer commutes — 28.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Chandler
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 101.4 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Chandler
Median Income
$5,195
$99,374 vs $94,179/yr
Chandler
Violent Crime
20% lower
133.4 vs 165.8 per 100k
Chandler
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
3.8% vs 6.4% unemployment
Chandler
Summer Heat
19.4°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 86.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Clifton, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $423,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $428,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,675⚠ High | $1,633⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $99,374 ✓ Higher | $94,179 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min ✓ Shorter | 28.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 8.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 50 ✓ Safer | 69 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 44 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 108⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 46.2% ✓ Higher | 34.3% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 89.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chandler Unified District #80 (4242) | Clifton Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer | 39.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer | 86.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.7" ✓ Drier | 50.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 28.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 275,618 ✓ Larger | 89,451 |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 40.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.6% ✓ Higher | 57.5% |
| Under 18 | 23.5% ✓ More | 19.7% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 17.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chandler's cost of living index is 101.4 vs Clifton's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Chandler is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chandler leads 18 of 23 categories. Chandler wins 18 and Clifton wins 5. 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 Chandler to Clifton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($423,900 vs $428,000 median home), income ($99,374 vs $94,179), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chandler, AZ and Clifton, NJ are about 2,125 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.