Elizabeth NJ vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 19.0% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 17.1% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 26.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Tampa
1453
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tampa, 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%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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