Atlanta GA vs El Paso TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
El Paso
34.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.9% | 39.3% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 3.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.5% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $58,734 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $28,942 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 18.4% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 27.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
El Paso
17.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
El Paso
12.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 33.8% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 27.9% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.2% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
El Paso
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 25.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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