Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 27.4% | 39.3% | El Paso + |
| Black | 60.0% | 3.6% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.5% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
El Paso
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $58,734 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $28,942 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $63,758 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.2% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 27.5% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
El Paso
$235,994
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $235,994 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 442 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2339 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 33.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.4% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 27.9% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.5% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 64.3°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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