Elizabeth NJ vs McKinney 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
McKinney
21.0%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
McKinney
37.8%
McKinney +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
McKinney
44.7%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 148,848 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 21.0% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 37.8% | McKinney + |
| Black | 17.1% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.0% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 44.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
McKinney
$29,291
McKinney +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
McKinney
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
McKinney
18.5%
McKinney +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $29,291 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 18.5% | McKinney + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
McKinney
$487,346
McKinney +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $487,346 | McKinney + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
McKinney
2339
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | McKinney, 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%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
McKinney
40.0 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | McKinney, 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 +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 35.6 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while mcKinney offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,346. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in McKinney. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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