El Paso TX vs Fort Worth TX — 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 Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Fort Worth
17.0%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Fort Worth
34.6%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 941,311 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.4 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 17.0% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 47.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 3.6% | 19.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 34.6% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Fort Worth
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $76,602 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $37,157 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 12.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 31.7% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Fort Worth
$299,655
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Fort Worth
56.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $299,655 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 56.8% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Fort Worth
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Fort Worth
2339
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Fort Worth
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Fort Worth
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Fort Worth
20.0%
Fort Worth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Fort Worth
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Fort Worth
13.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 34.6% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.5% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 20.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.9% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.8% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Fort Worth
37.8 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 65.8°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 37.8 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Fort Worth
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Fort Worth
29.0 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 29.0 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Worth 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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