CCCityCheck
SafetyCostCitiesProvidersSearch

Fort Worth vs El Paso: Full Comparison

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

Quick Answer

Fort Worth is 14% more expensive than El Paso. El Paso is 2% safer. Fort Worth population: 1,028,117. 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: Fort Worth vs El Paso

El Paso is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 88 vs 100 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 12 index points.

CategoryFort WorthEl Paso
Overall Index10088
Housing$2,136/moIndex: 120$1,460/moIndex: 82
Groceries$398/moIndex: 97$390/moIndex: 95
Transportation$357/moIndex: 102$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: Fort Worth vs El Paso

El Paso is 2% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents vs Fort Worth's 23.7. El Paso earns a C+ safety grade compared to Fort Worth's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

Fort Worth

Texas

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.7/1K
TrendStable
C+

El Paso

Texas

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.2/1K
TrendImproving
MetricFort WorthEl Paso
Overall Crime Rate23.7/1K23.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate384.8440.3
Property Crime Rate1983.31883.3
Murder Rate6.98.5
Assault Rate292.7276.6
Robbery Rate46.557.5
Burglary Rate247.5299.3
Theft Rate1801.41393.6
Vehicle Theft Rate296.0173.6

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

Victim Odds

In Fort Worth, you have a 1 in 42 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in El Paso.

Climate Comparison

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

Fort Worth Climate Overview

Annual High76.8°F
Annual Low55.5°F
Annual Rain34.3"
Annual Snow1.5"
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 Fort Worth cheaper than El Paso?
El Paso is 14% more affordable than Fort Worth, with a cost of living index of 88 vs 100 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $2,136/mo in Fort Worth vs $1,460/mo in El Paso.
Is Fort Worth safer than El Paso?
El Paso is 2% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents vs Fort Worth's 23.7. El Paso earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Fort Worth or El Paso?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso is safer (C+ grade). El Paso is more affordable (index 88 vs 100). Fort Worth has a population of 1,028,117 and El Paso has 683,012. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Fort Worth compared to El Paso?
Fort Worth has a population of 1,028,117 and El Paso has 683,012. Fort Worth is 51% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Fort Worth or El Paso?
Housing is cheaper in El Paso. Estimated monthly housing costs: Fort Worth $2,136/mo vs El Paso $1,460/mo. That's based on a housing index of 120 vs 82 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
Fort Worth 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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety, cost of living, climate, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities