Elizabeth NJ vs Fort Lauderdale FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 42.9 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 26.7% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 17.1% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 20.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $510,297 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Fort Lauderdale
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Fort Lauderdale
1453
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 324 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1453 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 14.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 28.5 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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