Elizabeth NJ vs Waco 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elizabeth
135,887
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Waco
9.8%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 9.8% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 17.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 29.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $51,468 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 24.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waco, 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%
Elizabeth +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 36.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.4% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.1% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waco, 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
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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