El Paso TX vs Fresno 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Fresno
543,615
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Fresno
18.9%
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Fresno
50.5%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 543,615 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 18.9% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 38.0% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 6.7% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 50.5% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $66,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $31,012 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 8.6% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 20.9% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 24.9% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Fresno
49.7%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $391,442 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 49.7% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fresno, 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%
El Paso +
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Fresno
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Fresno
13.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 37.5% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.7% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.1% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 15.3% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.8% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Fresno
64.2°F
Fresno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Fresno
12.8 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 64.2°F | Fresno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 12.8 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.7 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 Fresno. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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