Elizabeth NJ vs Pembroke Pines 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%
Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida · Population: 170,557
- Median HH Income$81,675
- Median Home Price$488,550
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pembroke Pines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Pembroke Pines +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 170,557 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 43.7 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 39.5% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 43.9% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Black | 17.1% | 21.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 47.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $81,675 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $39,881 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 10.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 38.1% | Pembroke Pines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Pembroke Pines +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $488,550 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 70.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Pembroke Pines
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Pembroke Pines
1453
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pembroke Pines, 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%
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Pembroke Pines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Pembroke Pines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 29.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.4% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 17.3% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.7% | Pembroke Pines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pembroke Pines, 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
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pembroke Pines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 33.2 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pembroke Pines leads in median household income at $81,675, while pembroke Pines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $488,550. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Pembroke Pines. Pembroke Pines has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Pembroke Pines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pembroke Pines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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