Elizabeth NJ vs St. Petersburg 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%
St. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 43.1 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 10.1% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 17.1% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 9.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
St. Petersburg
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
St. Petersburg
1453
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | St. Petersburg, 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%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | St. Petersburg, 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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