Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
El Paso
34.1
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.1 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 49.4% | 39.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 3.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $58,734 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $28,942 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.2% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 27.5% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 33.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 27.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 64.3°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
El Paso
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 25.1 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PA