Elizabeth NJ vs Fort Worth TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Fort Worth
17.0%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Fort Worth
34.6%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 941,311 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.4 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 17.0% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 47.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 17.1% | 19.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 34.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Fort Worth
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $76,602 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $37,157 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 31.7% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $299,655 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 56.8% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Fort Worth
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Fort Worth
2339
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Fort Worth
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Fort Worth
20.0%
Fort Worth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Fort Worth
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.5% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 20.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.8% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Fort Worth
37.8 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Fort Worth
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 29.0 min | Fort Worth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Fort Worth. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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