El Paso TX vs Richmond VA — 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, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Richmond
8.6%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 227,595 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.5 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 8.6% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 3.6% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 10.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 18.8% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $374,265 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 43.5% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.7% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.9% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 43.6 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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