Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Elizabeth, NJ
🏆 Carrollton leads 19 of 23 categories
Carrollton
Texas
19
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284
Elizabeth
New Jersey
4
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High
Population
135,665 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Households earn $35,441 more per year on average
66% less violent crime than Elizabeth
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 40°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
Rent averages $165/mo less ($1,390 vs $1,555)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $35,441/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Property crime (2657.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Carrollton
Median Income
$35,441
$95,380 vs $59,939/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
66% lower
137.1 vs 408.7 per 100k
Carrollton
Median Home Value
$31k less
$327,300 vs $358,400
Carrollton
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.9% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
7.4°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 86.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Elizabeth, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $358,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $1,390⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $59,939 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter | 26.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 4.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 108⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 127⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 14.1% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% ✓ Higher | 74.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Elizabeth Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 40.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 86.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" ✓ Drier | 46.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 31.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 | 135,665 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 35.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% ✓ Higher | 25.1% |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 25.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Elizabeth's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Carrollton is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 19 of 23 categories. Carrollton wins 19 and Elizabeth wins 4. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carrollton to Elizabeth or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $358,400 median home), income ($95,380 vs $59,939), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Elizabeth, NJ are about 1,358 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.