El Paso TX vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 376,035 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.4 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 6.6% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 31.6% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 7.9% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $55,339 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 7.8% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 22.6% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $245,988 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 50.5% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 34.0% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.1% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.4% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.7% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.5% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 66.6 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, 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 643 in New Orleans. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and New Orleans 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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