Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elizabeth, NJ
VS
Hemet, CA
🏆 Hemet leads 14 of 23 categories
Elizabeth
New Jersey
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,665 ✓ Larger
Hemet
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$49,901
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High
Population
89,651
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.6 pts lower (5.9%)
Households earn $10,038 more per year on average
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 95°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $358,400
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Property crime (2657.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Hemet
Hemet, CA
Pros
Homes cost $81k less ($277,200 vs $358,400)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 40°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Elizabeth
Cons
Median income trails Elizabeth by $10,038/yr
Higher unemployment (9.5% vs 5.9%)
Longer commutes — 36.8 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Elizabeth
Median Income
$10,038
$59,939 vs $49,901/yr
Elizabeth
Violent Crime
4% lower
408.7 vs 424.8 per 100k
Elizabeth
Unemployment
3.6 pp lower
5.9% vs 9.5% unemployment
Hemet
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 107.9 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Hemet
Median Home Value
$81k less
$277,200 vs $358,400
Hemet
Summer Heat
8.2°F warmer
July avg high 95.1°F vs 86.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hemet, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $358,400⚠ High | $277,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,390⚠ High | $1,357⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,939 ✓ Higher | $49,901 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min ✓ Shorter | 36.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 4.8% | 7.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 115⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) ✓ Better | C (78) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.1% ✓ Higher | 13.9% |
| High School or Higher | 74.3% | 79.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elizabeth Public Schools | Hemet Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.0°F | 65.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F | 95.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6" | 12.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 31.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,665 ✓ Larger | 89,651 |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 39.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.1% | 61.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% ✓ More | 24.1% |
| Over 65 | 11.4% | 22.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elizabeth's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Hemet's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Hemet is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Hemet leads 14 of 23 categories. Elizabeth wins 9 and Hemet wins 14. 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 Elizabeth to Hemet or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($358,400 vs $277,200 median home), income ($59,939 vs $49,901), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elizabeth, NJ and Hemet, CA are about 2,380 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.