El Paso TX vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.8 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 19.0% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 3.6% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 41.8% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $411,323 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 57.1% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Phoenix
12.2%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 72.1°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 10.8 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 27.7 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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