Moving to Elizabeth: Pros, Cons & What to Know

Moving to Elizabeth means moving to New Jersey's fourth-largest city and its genuine first capital, with unmatched direct proximity to Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal and Newark Liberty International Airport.

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Genuinely direct port and airport proximity

Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal sits directly within Elizabeth, and Newark Liberty International Airport itself straddles the Essex/Union county line, sitting partly within the city -- not merely nearby.

Budget for the real, above-average property tax rate

Elizabeth's own effective property tax rate (2.54%) runs meaningfully above New Jersey's already nation-leading statewide average -- build this into a relocation budget alongside the state's graduated income tax.

A real Revolutionary War-era heritage

Boxwood Hall, a National Historic Landmark and home to Continental Congress president Elias Boudinot, anchors Elizabeth's genuine status as New Jersey's first capital.

Key takeaways

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-25. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.