El Paso TX vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
El Paso
39.3%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.0 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 39.3% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 3.6% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 29.6% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $1,006,261 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 47.6% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.9% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 61.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 12.3 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 25.9 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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