El Paso TX vs Irving 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Irving
255,036
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Irving
36.7%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Irving
43.0%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 255,036 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 32.8 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 39.3% | 36.7% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 12.9% | Irving + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 43.0% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Irving
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $39,462 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 41.6% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Irving
$344,888
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $344,888 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 38.3% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Irving
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Irving
2339
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Irving, 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%
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Irving
20.6%
Irving +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Irving
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 31.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.5% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.2% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 20.6% | Irving + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.0% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.2% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Irving
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Irving, 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 +
Irving
26.0 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.0 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Irving has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
Compare More Cities
El Paso, TX vs New York, NYEl Paso, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs El Paso, TXEl Paso, TX vs Houston, TXEl Paso, TX vs Phoenix, AZEl Paso, TX vs Philadelphia, PA