Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Detroit
11.7%
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 11.7% | 39.3% | El Paso + |
| Black | 76.8% | 3.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.5% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $58,734 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $28,942 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.2% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 27.5% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
El Paso
$235,994
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $235,994 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
El Paso
16.4%
El Paso +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 16.4% | El Paso + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 27.9% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 64.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
El Paso
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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%.
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