El Paso TX vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Reno
16.1%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 268,959 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.3 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 16.1% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.6% | 3.2% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 24.6% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $570,934 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 49.4% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Reno
2417
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.5% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.9% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.8% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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