Elizabeth NJ vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.4 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 12.2% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 17.1% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 12.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Jacksonville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Jacksonville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Jacksonville
1453
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jacksonville, 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%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 34.8% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 13.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 70.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 26.0 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Jacksonville. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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