El Paso TX vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Oklahoma City
12.0%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.0 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 12.0% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 3.6% | 13.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 21.7% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Oklahoma City
59.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 59.1% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Oklahoma City
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 38.3% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.8% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 14.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.9% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 37.6 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.6 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City 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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