El Paso TX vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
El Paso
39.3%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 287,339 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 39.3 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 39.3% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 3.6% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 16.2% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Plano
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $507,575 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 56.6% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Plano
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Plano
2339
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Plano, TX | 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
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 27.6 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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