Elizabeth NJ vs Garland 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%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Garland
31.2%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Garland
15.3%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Garland
45.0%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 31.2% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 37.5% | Garland + |
| Black | 17.1% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 45.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Garland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $31,477 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 25.0% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $289,605 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Garland, 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%
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Garland
22.6%
Garland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Garland
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.0% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 22.6% | Garland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Garland
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Garland, 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
Elizabeth +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 32.5 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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