Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elizabeth, NJ
VS
West Palm Beach, FL
🏆 West Palm Beach leads 15 of 23 categories
Elizabeth
New Jersey
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,665 ✓ Larger
West Palm Beach
Florida
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,044 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
152⚠ High
Population
117,588
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
29% less violent crime than West Palm Beach
Rent averages $224/mo less ($1,390 vs $1,614)
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Property crime (2657.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Pricier housing — median home is $358,400
Median income trails West Palm Beach by $4,105/yr
West Palm Beach, FL
Pros
More college-educated — 37.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 75°F vs 40°F
Homes cost $34k less ($324,800 vs $358,400)
Households earn $4,105 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (575.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,614/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elizabeth
Violent Crime
29% lower
408.7 vs 575.8 per 100k
West Palm Beach
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 111.8 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
West Palm Beach
Median Income
$4,105
$64,044 vs $59,939/yr
West Palm Beach
Median Home Value
$34k less
$324,800 vs $358,400
West Palm Beach
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 86.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | West Palm Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 111.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $358,400⚠ High | $324,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,390⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,614⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,939 | $64,044 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 23.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.8% | 11.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 152⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.1% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.3% | 86.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elizabeth Public Schools | PALM BEACH |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.0°F | 74.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6" ✓ Drier | 61.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 31.5" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,665 ✓ Larger | 117,588 |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.1% | 49.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% ✓ More | 17.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.4% | 19.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elizabeth's cost of living index is 112.5 vs West Palm Beach's 111.8 (US average = 100).
West Palm Beach is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, West Palm Beach leads 15 of 23 categories. Elizabeth wins 8 and West Palm Beach wins 15. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Elizabeth to West Palm Beach or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($358,400 vs $324,800 median home), income ($59,939 vs $64,044), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elizabeth, NJ and West Palm Beach, FL are about 1,020 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.