El Paso TX vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Las Vegas
650,873
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Las Vegas
20.9%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Las Vegas
34.1%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 650,873 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.5 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 20.9% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 3.6% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 34.1% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 7.2% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 27.3% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $426,069 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 55.7% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Las Vegas
17.0%
Las Vegas +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.5% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 17.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.6% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 67.4°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 27.7 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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