Elizabeth NJ vs Tallahassee 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 8.0% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 17.1% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 8.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $55,931 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 23.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Tallahassee
39.5%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 39.5% | Tallahassee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Tallahassee
1453
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tallahassee, 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%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.3% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tallahassee. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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