El Paso TX vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Salem
12.2%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 176,666 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.7 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 3.6% | 1.6% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 23.4% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $438,754 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 55.7% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Salem
3001
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 41.4% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.4% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 39.7 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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