El Paso TX vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Rochester
8.3%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 209,720 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 8.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 20.0% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $46,628 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 7.9% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 26.6% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $241,627 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 37.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 38.0% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.6% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 34.3 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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