El Paso TX vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Tampa
19.0%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 393,389 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.6 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 19.0% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 3.6% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 26.2% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $376,530 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 50.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.7% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 73.4°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 46.3 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.8 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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