El Paso TX vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Worcester
34.1
Tie
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
El Paso
39.3%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 205,501 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 39.3% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 24.9% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.4% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 19.8% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $435,532 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 42.4% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.3% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.9% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.1% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.5% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 48.1 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 27.3 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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