El Paso TX vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Tucson
13.7%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 543,348 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.6 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 13.7% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 3.6% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 42.7% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $54,546 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.4% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 18.8% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $324,946 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 51.7% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.3% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.5% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 69.8°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 12.2 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, 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 450 in Tucson. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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