El Paso TX vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
El Paso
39.3%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 75,721 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.0 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 39.3% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 3.6% | 2.2% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 6.8% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $765,686 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 45.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Renton
3409
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 40.1 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 25.4 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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