Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elizabeth, NJ
VS
Yuma, AZ
🏆 Yuma leads 16 of 23 categories
Elizabeth
New Jersey
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,665 ✓ Larger
Yuma
Arizona
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,312
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High
Population
96,314
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 1.8 pts lower (5.9%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 107°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $358,400
Higher rents — median is $1,390/mo
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Yuma
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Yuma, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $172k less ($186,500 vs $358,400)
Rent averages $362/mo less ($1,028 vs $1,390)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Elizabeth
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 40°F
More college-educated — 20.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher unemployment (7.7% vs 5.9%)
Hot summers — July highs average 107°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Elizabeth
Median Income
$627
$59,939 vs $59,312/yr
Elizabeth
Violent Crime
4% lower
408.7 vs 423.6 per 100k
Elizabeth
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.7% unemployment
Yuma
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 93.4 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Yuma
Median Home Value
$172k less
$186,500 vs $358,400
Yuma
Summer Heat
19.8°F warmer
July avg high 106.7°F vs 86.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Yuma, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 93.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $358,400⚠ High | $186,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,390⚠ High | $1,028 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,939 ✓ Higher | $59,312 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 17.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.8% | 6.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 115⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) ✓ Better | C- (70) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.1% | 20.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.3% | 83.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elizabeth Public Schools | Yuma Elementary District (4499) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.0°F | 69.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F | 106.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6" | 3.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 31.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,665 ✓ Larger | 96,314 |
| Median Age | 35.7 ✓ Older | 32.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.1% | 64.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% | 25.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.4% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elizabeth's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Yuma's 93.4 (US average = 100).
Yuma is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Yuma leads 16 of 23 categories. Elizabeth wins 7 and Yuma 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 Yuma or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($358,400 vs $186,500 median home), income ($59,939 vs $59,312), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elizabeth, NJ and Yuma, AZ are about 2,286 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.