El Paso TX vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Richmond
46.9%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 115,396 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.6 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 39.3% | 21.4% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 46.9% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 7.0% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $608,357 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 52.5% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.9% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.8% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Richmond
24.9 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 58.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 24.9 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 37.7 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 503 in Richmond. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
El Paso, TX vs New York, NYEl Paso, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs El Paso, TXEl Paso, TX vs Houston, TXEl Paso, TX vs Phoenix, AZEl Paso, TX vs Philadelphia, PA