El Paso TX vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Jersey City
25.7%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 289,691 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.7 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 39.3% | 28.7% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 25.7% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $664,939 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 28.8% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jersey City, NJ | 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
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 40.3 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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