El Paso TX vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 143,611 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 12.1% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 3.6% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 13.4% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $45,611 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $30,282 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 28.0% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Gainesville
$299,633
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $299,633 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 38.5% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 21.3% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 13.9% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.8% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 68.9°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 47.3 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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