Dallas TX vs Elizabeth NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 135,887 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.8 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 41.9% | 24.8% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 17.1% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.8% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $63,874 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $28,490 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.9% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 14.2% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $531,592 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 25.4% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Dallas +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.7% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 28.1% | Dallas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.0% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 29.3 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
Compare More Cities
Dallas, TX vs New York, NYDallas, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dallas, TXDallas, TX vs Houston, TXDallas, TX vs Phoenix, AZDallas, TX vs Philadelphia, PA