Carrollton 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
El Paso
22.3%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Carrollton +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Carrollton +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 22.3% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 39.3% | Carrollton + |
| Black | 9.2% | 3.6% | Carrollton + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 1.5% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
El Paso
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $58,734 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $28,942 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.2% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 18.4% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 27.5% | Carrollton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
El Paso
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
El Paso
2339
Tie
| Metric | Carrollton, 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
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Carrollton +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Carrollton +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
El Paso
12.2%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 33.8% | Carrollton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 16.4% | Carrollton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 17.2% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 27.9% | Carrollton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.2% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
El Paso
10.5 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
El Paso
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carrollton, 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
Carrollton
26.2 min
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 25.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, 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 Carrollton. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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