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Austin vs El Paso: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Austin is 36% more expensive than El Paso. El Paso is 41% safer. Austin population: 1,002,632. El Paso population: 683,012.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingEl Paso
SafetyEl Paso
HousingEl Paso

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Austin vs El Paso

El Paso is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 88 vs 120 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 32 index points.

CategoryAustinEl Paso
Overall Index12088
Housing$2,990/moIndex: 168$1,460/moIndex: 82
Groceries$410/moIndex: 100$390/moIndex: 95
Transportation$368/moIndex: 105$343/moIndex: 98
Healthcare$320/moIndex: 100$304/moIndex: 95
Utilities$220/moIndex: 100$220/moIndex: 100

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Austin vs El Paso

El Paso is 41% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents vs Austin's 39.5. El Paso earns a C+ safety grade compared to Austin's D-. Based on 2023 FBI data.

D-

Austin

Texas

Overall GradeD-
Violent CrimeB-
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate39.5/1K
TrendStable
C+

El Paso

Texas

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.2/1K
TrendImproving
MetricAustinEl Paso
Overall Crime Rate39.5/1K23.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate350.0440.3
Property Crime Rate3600.01883.3
Murder Rate4.68.5
Assault Rate278.3276.6
Robbery Rate60.657.5
Burglary Rate461.8299.3
Theft Rate3112.61393.6
Vehicle Theft Rate763.2173.6

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Austin, you have a 1 in 25 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in El Paso.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for Austin. A full comparison requires both cities.

Austin Climate Overview

Annual High80.2°F
Annual Low58.7°F
Annual Rain33.9"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin cheaper than El Paso?
El Paso is 36% more affordable than Austin, with a cost of living index of 88 vs 120 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $2,990/mo in Austin vs $1,460/mo in El Paso.
Is Austin safer than El Paso?
El Paso is 41% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents vs Austin's 39.5. El Paso earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Austin or El Paso?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso is safer (C+ grade). El Paso is more affordable (index 88 vs 120). Austin has a population of 1,002,632 and El Paso has 683,012. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Austin compared to El Paso?
Austin has a population of 1,002,632 and El Paso has 683,012. Austin is 47% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Austin or El Paso?
Housing is cheaper in El Paso. Estimated monthly housing costs: Austin $2,990/mo vs El Paso $1,460/mo. That's based on a housing index of 168 vs 82 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

D-
Austin Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
El Paso Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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