El Paso TX vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Washington
13.3%
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Washington
39.1%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 672,079 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.9 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 13.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 39.1% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 11.6% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.5% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $580,173 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 41.1% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 24.0% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 32.8 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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