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El Paso vs Plano: Full Comparison

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

Quick Answer

Plano is 25% more expensive than El Paso. Plano is 17% safer. El Paso population: 683,012. Plano population: 293,028.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingEl Paso
SafetyPlano
HousingEl Paso

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

Cost of Living: El Paso vs Plano

El Paso is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 88 vs 110 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 22 index points.

CategoryEl PasoPlano
Overall Index88110
Housing$1,460/moIndex: 82$2,581/moIndex: 145
Groceries$390/moIndex: 95$406/moIndex: 99
Transportation$343/moIndex: 98$357/moIndex: 102
Healthcare$304/moIndex: 95$320/moIndex: 100
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: El Paso vs Plano

Plano is 17% safer overall, with a crime rate of 19.2 per 1,000 residents vs El Paso's 23.2. Plano earns a B- safety grade compared to El Paso's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

El Paso

Texas

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.2/1K
TrendImproving
B-

Plano

Texas

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeB+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate19.2/1K
TrendStable
MetricEl PasoPlano
Overall Crime Rate23.2/1K19.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate440.3120.0
Property Crime Rate1883.31800.0
Murder Rate8.51.8
Assault Rate276.676.9
Robbery Rate57.515.4
Burglary Rate299.3282.6
Theft Rate1393.61573.4
Vehicle Theft Rate173.6208.4

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

Victim Odds

In El Paso, you have a 1 in 43 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 52 in Plano.

Climate Comparison

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

Plano Climate Overview

Annual High76.5°F
Annual Low55.9°F
Annual Rain35.6"
Annual Snow1.1"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthOctober
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarmHot

Frequently Asked Questions

Is El Paso cheaper than Plano?
El Paso is 25% more affordable than Plano, with a cost of living index of 88 vs 110 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $1,460/mo in El Paso vs $2,581/mo in Plano.
Is El Paso safer than Plano?
Plano is 17% safer overall, with a crime rate of 19.2 per 1,000 residents vs El Paso's 23.2. Plano earns a B- safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to El Paso or Plano?
It depends on your priorities. Plano is safer (B- grade). El Paso is more affordable (index 88 vs 110). El Paso has a population of 683,012 and Plano has 293,028. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is El Paso compared to Plano?
El Paso has a population of 683,012 and Plano has 293,028. El Paso is 133% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in El Paso or Plano?
Housing is cheaper in El Paso. Estimated monthly housing costs: El Paso $1,460/mo vs Plano $2,581/mo. That's based on a housing index of 82 vs 145 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
El Paso Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
B-
Plano 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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