Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elizabeth, NJ
VS
San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA
🏆 San Buenaventura (Ventura) leads 16 of 23 categories
Elizabeth
New Jersey
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,939
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High
Population
135,665 ✓ Larger
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
California
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$96,036 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
93 ✓ Safer
Population
110,358
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $356k less ($358,400 vs $714,000)
Rent averages $552/mo less ($1,390 vs $1,942)
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails San Buenaventura (Ventura) by $36,097/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
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.9%)
San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA
Pros
Households earn $36,097 more per year on average
13% less violent crime than Elizabeth
More college-educated — 40.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (4.9%)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 40°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 73°F vs 87°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $714,000
Higher rents — median is $1,942/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elizabeth
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 112.5 vs 113.5 (100 = US avg)
Elizabeth
Median Home Value
$356k less
$358,400 vs $714,000
Elizabeth
Summer Heat
14.0°F warmer
July avg high 86.9°F vs 72.9°F
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
Median Income
$36,097
$96,036 vs $59,939/yr
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
Violent Crime
13% lower
354.5 vs 408.7 per 100k
San Buenaventura (Ventura)
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
4.9% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $358,400⚠ High ✓ Lower | $714,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,390⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,942⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,939 | $96,036 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 24.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.8% | 13.2% ✓ 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 | 93 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High | 104⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 24.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.1% | 40.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.3% | 91.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elizabeth Public Schools | Ventura Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.0°F | 65.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer | 72.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6" | 16.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 31.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,665 ✓ Larger | 110,358 |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 41.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.1% | 56.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% ✓ More | 20.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.4% | 18.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elizabeth's cost of living index is 112.5 vs San Buenaventura (Ventura)'s 113.5 (US average = 100).
Elizabeth is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Buenaventura (Ventura) leads 16 of 23 categories. Elizabeth wins 7 and San Buenaventura (Ventura) wins 16. 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 San Buenaventura (Ventura) or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($358,400 vs $714,000 median home), income ($59,939 vs $96,036), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elizabeth, NJ and San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA are about 2,483 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.
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