El Paso TX vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Mesa
507,478
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Mesa
11.2%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 507,478 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.2 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 11.2% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 3.6% | 4.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 26.6% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $435,670 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 71.8°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 11.7 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.7 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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