El Paso TX vs Escondido CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Escondido
107,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Escondido
38.1
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Escondido
13.7%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Escondido
0.6%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Escondido
65.1%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Escondido
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 107,066 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 49.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 39.3% | 13.7% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 0.6% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 29.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 65.1% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Escondido
$24,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Escondido
6.4%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Escondido
17.2%
Escondido +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Escondido
14.7%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $64,484 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $24,356 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.4% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 17.2% | Escondido + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 14.7% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Escondido
$849,335
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Escondido
40.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $849,335 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 40.1% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Escondido
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Escondido
2388
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Escondido
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Escondido
14.1%
Escondido +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Escondido
12.2%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 28.1% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.3% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.0% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 14.1% | Escondido + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Escondido
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Escondido
11.1 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 11.1 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Escondido
75.0%
Escondido +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Escondido + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Escondido
31.6 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 31.6 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, 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 Escondido. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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