El Paso TX vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Salinas
80.3%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 161,993 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 39.3% | 21.8% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 1.4% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 80.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $28,813 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 15.5% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $751,711 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 47.0% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Salinas
22.4%
Salinas +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 22.4% | Salinas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.8% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.9% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 15.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.8 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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