Elizabeth NJ vs Hialeah 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Hialeah
32.4%
Hialeah +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 221,901 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 45.9 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 24.8% | 32.4% | Hialeah + |
| Black | 17.1% | 1.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 0.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Hialeah
$53,079
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Hialeah
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Hialeah
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Hialeah
21.2%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $53,079 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $25,766 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 17.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 21.2% | Hialeah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Hialeah
$444,086
Hialeah +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Hialeah
47.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $444,086 | Hialeah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 47.1% | Hialeah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Hialeah
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Hialeah
1453
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hialeah, 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%
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Elizabeth +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 30.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 19.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 34.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 76.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 70.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 31.7 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while hialeah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $444,086. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Hialeah. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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