El Paso TX vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
El Paso
39.3%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 183,032 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 42.9 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 39.3% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 3.6% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 20.1% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $510,297 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 53.8% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 14.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 75.5°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 66.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.5 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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