El Paso TX vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 457,066 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.4 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 9.1% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 3.6% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 8.9% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $427,121 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.5% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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