El Paso TX vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 129,239 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.5 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 39.3% | 31.9% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 2.1% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 16.1% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $720,443 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 41.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Santa Rosa, 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%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 32.2 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 25.2 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
Compare More Cities
El Paso, TX vs New York, NYEl Paso, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs El Paso, TXEl Paso, TX vs Houston, TXEl Paso, TX vs Phoenix, AZEl Paso, TX vs Philadelphia, PA