Elizabeth NJ vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 12.1% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 17.1% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 13.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $45,611 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $30,282 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 28.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Gainesville
38.5%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 38.5% | Gainesville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Gainesville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Gainesville
1453
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gainesville, 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%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 21.3% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 13.9% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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