Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
El Paso
678,147
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 678,147 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 59.9% | 39.3% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 3.6% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 1.5% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
El Paso
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $58,734 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $28,942 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.2% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 18.4% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 27.5% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Austin, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
El Paso
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
El Paso
2339
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
El Paso
12.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.8% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 16.4% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.2% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 27.9% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.2% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Austin, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 64.3°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
El Paso
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
| Metric | Austin, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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