El Paso TX vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Paterson
N/A
White
El Paso
39.3%
Paterson
N/A
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 39.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $527,542 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Paterson
16.1%
Paterson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
El Paso +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 37.5% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.1% | Paterson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.6% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 28.6% | El Paso + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.4% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Paterson 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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