El Paso TX vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Provo
12.2%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 114,303 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 3.6% | 1.1% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.2% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 18.9% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $26,755 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $486,127 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 39.9% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 21.5% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 19.8 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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