Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
El Paso
34.1
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 34.1 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 81.8% | 39.3% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 3.6% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.5% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
El Paso
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $58,734 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $28,942 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.2% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 27.5% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
El Paso
12.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 33.8% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 16.4% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 27.9% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.2% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 64.3°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.1 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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