Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
El Paso
34.1
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.1 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 54.8% | 39.3% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 3.6% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.5% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
El Paso
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $58,734 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $28,942 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 18.4% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 27.5% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
El Paso
12.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 33.8% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 27.9% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 64.3°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 25.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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