El Paso TX vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 198,440 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.2 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 5.5% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 27.7% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 4.8% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $55,687 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.5% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 20.9% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 54.3% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
El Paso +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 46.4% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.7% | El Paso + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.6% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.3% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 64.5°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 52.8 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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