El Paso TX vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Newark
16.5%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 307,188 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.8 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 39.3% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 37.2% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $48,416 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $25,509 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 10.9% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 24.7% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 17.4% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $482,675 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 24.1% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Newark
23.4%
Newark +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.9% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.0% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 23.4% | Newark + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 46.3 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 35.9 min | El Paso + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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