Is Florida or New Jersey a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, New Jersey ranks higher overall. Florida is #29 and New Jersey is #19 out of 50 states. Florida wins 5 of 11 categories, while New Jersey wins 6.

How does Florida compare to New Jersey in cost of living?

Florida has a cost of living index of 103, while New Jersey's is 109 (100 = national average). Florida is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Florida or New Jersey?

Florida has 384 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 195 in New Jersey. New Jersey has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Florida vs New Jersey?

Florida's median household income is $71,516, compared to $97,126 in New Jersey.

Florida vs New Jersey: Side-by-Side (2026)

C+

Florida

#29·South

51.7Composite Score

VSNew Jersey leads

New Jersey

#19·Northeast

65.1Composite Score

5FL wins

6NJ wins

Category Overlay

FloridaNew Jersey

Category Scores

💰 EconomyNJ +18.4

36.7

55.1

🛡️ SafetyNJ +25.2

55.5

80.7

🏥 HealthNJ +53.0

28.6

81.6

🎓 EducationNJ +38.8

57.1

95.9

💼 Fiscal HealthFL +37.0

70.2

33.2

📈 GrowthFL +38.1

65.3

27.2

🏠 AffordabilityFL +15.5

59.9

44.4

🌿 EnvironmentNJ +3.4

34.0

37.4

🏞️ Outdoor AccessFL +21.3

27.8

6.5

🚇 TransportationNJ +15.6

35.0

50.6

🎭 LivabilityFL +3.9

34.1

30.2

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Florida	New Jersey	Winner
Population	22,610,726	9,290,841	FL
Median Income	$71,516	$97,126	NJ
Unemployment	4.3%	4.8%	FL
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	384	195	NJ
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	103	109	FL
HS Graduation Rate	87%	91%	NJ
Life Expectancy	78.2 yr	79.5 yr	NJ
Pop Growth	+2%	+0.7%	FL

Florida vs New Jersey: How Do They Compare?

Florida ranks #29 overall with a composite score of 51.7, earning a C+ grade. New Jersey sits at #19 with 65.1 and a B grade. New Jersey has the edge overall, winning 6 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Florida has 4.3% unemployment and a $71,516 median income, while New Jersey reports 4.8% unemployment and $97,126 median income.

For safety, Florida's violent crime rate is 384 per 100K compared to 195 in New Jersey. Cost of living favors Florida with an index of 103 vs 109.

Explore These States

Florida Full Profile51.7 New Jersey Full Profile65.1 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022