El Paso TX vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 14.6% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 36.1% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 15.2% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 8.4% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 22.0% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 52.3% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 48.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 34.5 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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