Denton 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)
Denton, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$354,100
- 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
Denton
1,299,553
Denton +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denton
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Denton
33.4
Denton +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Denton
23.4%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Denton
41.9%
Denton +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Denton
23.7%
Denton +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Denton
3.7%
Denton +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Denton
41.9%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Denton
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 135,887 | Denton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.8 | Denton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 41.9% | 24.8% | Denton + |
| Black | 23.7% | 17.1% | Denton + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.8% | Denton + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denton
$67,760
Denton +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Denton
$44,138
Denton +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denton
$63,758
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Denton
4.9%
Denton +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Denton
17.2%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denton
37.4%
Denton +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $63,874 | Denton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $28,490 | Denton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.9% | Denton + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 14.2% | Denton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denton
$354,100
Denton +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Denton
42.4%
Denton +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $354,100 | $531,592 | Denton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 25.4% | Denton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
442
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
2339
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Denton, 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
Denton
35.5%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
9.5%
Denton +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denton
19.4%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denton
14.9%
Denton +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denton
18.3%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denton
11.2%
Denton +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.7% | Denton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 28.1% | Denton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.0% | Denton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
64.8°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
38.1 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denton
9.2 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denton
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Denton, 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
Denton
28.3 min
Denton +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Denton, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 29.3 min | Denton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denton leads in median household income at $67,760, while denton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $354,100. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Denton. Denton 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%.
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