Elizabeth NJ vs Port St. Lucie 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%
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 220,453 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 43.7 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 19.5% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 60.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 17.1% | 19.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 23.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $78,137 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $36,352 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 8.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 26.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $327,700 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 83.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Port St. Lucie
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Port St. Lucie
1453
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Port St. Lucie, 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%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Port St. Lucie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 30.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Port St. Lucie, 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
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 32.0 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while port St. Lucie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,700. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Port St. Lucie. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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