El Paso TX vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 44,998 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 57.8 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 3.6% | 5.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 24.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 8.2% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $503,393 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.6% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 15.7% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.1% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 63.5°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 503 in Palmdale. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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