Chula Vista 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
El Paso
1.5%
El Paso +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 65.7% | 39.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 3.6% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.5% | El Paso + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
El Paso
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $58,734 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $28,942 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 6.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 18.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 27.5% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
El Paso
60.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 60.2% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
| Metric | Chula Vista, 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
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
El Paso
12.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 33.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 27.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.2% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Chula Vista +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
El Paso
10.5 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 64.3°F | Chula Vista + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 10.5 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Chula Vista +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chula Vista + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 25.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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