El Paso TX vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
New York
35.9%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.0 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 39.3% | 35.9% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 28.4% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 7.7% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $816,078 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 32.8% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.9% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 46.6 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 44.2 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
Compare More Cities
El 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, PAEl Paso, TX vs San Antonio, TX