Elizabeth NJ vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Plano
28.7%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 39.3 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 28.7% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 17.1% | 9.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 16.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $507,575 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Plano, 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%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Plano, 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
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Elizabeth, NJ vs New York, NYElizabeth, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elizabeth, NJElizabeth, NJ vs Houston, TXElizabeth, NJ vs Phoenix, AZElizabeth, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA