El Paso TX vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Memphis
629,063
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Memphis
7.4%
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 629,063 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.3 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 7.4% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 25.0% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.7% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 10.2% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $51,211 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 8.3% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 22.5% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 46.0% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
El Paso +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 42.1% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.6% | El Paso + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.7% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 19.9% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 54.9 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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