Elizabeth NJ vs Miami Gardens 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Miami Gardens
29.1%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 11,627 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.7 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 29.1% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 17.1% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 34.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $472,888 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Miami Gardens
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Miami Gardens
1453
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Miami Gardens, 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%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Miami Gardens +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 22.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.4% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 29.2 min | Miami Gardens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Miami Gardens. Miami Gardens has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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