El Paso TX vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.4 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 3.6% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 12.0% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $286,396 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 57.4% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 34.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 13.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.8% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 70.2°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 50.0 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.0 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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