El Paso TX vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Houston
35.5%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.3 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 39.3% | 35.5% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 44.1% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Houston
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.7% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 19.7% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $265,062 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 42.0% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Houston
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Houston
2339
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Houston, 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 +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Houston
24.0%
Houston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 38.0% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 24.0% | Houston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.7% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.6% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 48.7 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Houston, 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 +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 29.6 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Houston 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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