El Paso, Texas
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching El Paso, TX.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in El Paso, TX?
For relocators asking how much El Paso costs: the housing index sits at 67 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $171,700 and rents near $1,041. Local median income is about $58,734 and unemployment recently ran 4.8% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 23 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 352.7 per 100k (catalog avg 559.5).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 67U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $171,700U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,041U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $58,734U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.8%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 23 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 352.7per 100k · catalog avg 559.5
- Summer high
- 96°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how El Paso compares with a U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals) or a MapsToIt catalog average (crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 681,723City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $58,734Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year25% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 67ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year33% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $171,700City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year43% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,041City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year23% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.8%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-10-19 · July 20260.6 pts above U.S. rateU.S. 4.2% - Avg commute
- 23 min8% below catalog avgCatalog avg 25 min
- Walk Score
- 4011% below catalog avgCatalog avg 45
- Violent crime rate
- 352.7per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)37% below catalog avgCatalog avg 559.5 - Property crime rate
- 1511.1per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)50% below catalog avgCatalog avg 3005.3 - Summer high
- 96°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9.0 pts above catalog avgCatalog avg 87°F
- Winter low
- 36°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear catalog avg (35°F)Catalog avg 35°F
- Annual rainfall
- 8.8 inAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals73% below catalog avgCatalog avg 33.2 in
- Sunny days
- 317As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals18% above catalog avgCatalog avg 268
Population trend
El Paso grew 4.8% from 650,671 in 2010 to 681,723 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is El Paso, TX expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, El Paso runs 33 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 67 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $171,700 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,041 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in El Paso, TX?
Budget first around $1,041/month rent or $171,700 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $171,700
- Median rent $1,041/month
- Median household income $58,734
What is the job market like in El Paso, TX?
Labor-market context for El Paso: unemployment 4.8% and median income $58,734. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.8% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $58,734
How long is the typical commute in El Paso, TX?
Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way in El Paso. Walk Score estimates around 40 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 23 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 40/100
Is El Paso, TX safer than similar U.S. cities?
El Paso's FBI-derived violent rate (~352.7/100k) sits below the catalog average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 352.7 per 100k
- Property 1511.1 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in El Paso, TX?
El Paso's climate profile: 96°F summer peaks, 36°F winter mornings, 8.8" annual rainfall, and 317 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 96°F
- Winter low 36°F
- 8.8 in rain · 317 sunny days
Relocators eyeing El Paso, Texas will find roughly 681,723 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $58,734; our housing-derived cost index is about 67 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Entry home prices around $171,700 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Hot summers, sprawling freeways, and no state income tax dominate comparisons. Roughly 317 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Commutes average near 23 minutes one-way, with walkability near 40/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.8% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates around 352.7 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
El Paso sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI crime figures, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare El Paso with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (El Paso city, 1600000US4824000) — As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · El Paso County, July 2026 — As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019), city offenses per 100k — As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023044 EL PASO INTL AP) — As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-10-19