El Paso TX vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 192,696 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.5 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 13.6% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 3.6% | 3.1% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $510,577 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 49.9% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.2% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.1% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 41.6 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 25.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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