City comparison
Yes. El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 88 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
El Paso is cheaper. Median rent is $1,073 a month versus $1,421 in Fresno.
Safety is where El Paso and Fresno split most clearly. El Paso scores 108 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,073 in El Paso and $1,421 in Fresno.
This is a genuine split. El Paso wins on cost of living and safety and Fresno wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. El Paso at $1,073 average has pockets that run $873 and others at $1,473: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
El Paso and Fresno are 832 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,073 a month in El Paso to $1,421 a month in Fresno, up $348 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $59,745 in El Paso to $70,991 in Fresno, up $11,246 (19%).
The crime index goes from 87 in El Paso to 195 in Fresno, up 108 points (124%).
The move
Fresno and El Paso are 832 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,073 a month in El Paso, down $348 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $59,745 in El Paso, down $11,246 (16%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 87 in El Paso, down 108 points (55%).
El Paso, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Fresno, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing El Paso and Fresno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
El Paso rent is 24% cheaper than Fresno
El Paso
Winner$1,073/mo
Fresno
$1,421/mo
Typical rent runs $1,073 a month in El Paso versus $1,421 in Fresno, so El Paso is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $348/month back in your pocket ($4,176/year). Over five years that's $20,880 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Fresno, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, El Paso is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in El Paso? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
19% higher
Fresno's median income is 19% higher than El Paso
El Paso
$59,745
Fresno
Winner$70,991
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno versus $59,745 in El Paso, so typical pay runs 19% higher in Fresno (about $11,246 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Fresno is the stronger labor market on paper. El Paso can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
55% lower crime
El Paso's crime index is 55% lower than Fresno
El Paso
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 55% lower in El Paso. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, El Paso is the easier city. Fresno can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
El Paso and Fresno are about even on typical weather.
El Paso
66°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fresno
74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
El Paso averages about 66°F (72°F highs); Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs). El Paso sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Fresno sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
El Paso is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 24% cheaper here at about $1,073 a month. Choose El Paso if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
El Paso is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 55% lower than Fresno (87 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Fresno is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 19% higher here ($70,991). Start with Fresno if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: El Paso scores 64/100 versus 40/100 in Fresno. Rent is $1,073/month in El Paso and $1,421/month in Fresno, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Fresno still pays more locally ($70,991 median income vs $59,745), which can offset the lease if your field pays Fresno rates.
Median income is $70,991 in Fresno versus $59,745 in El Paso.
Between El Paso and Fresno, El Paso is ahead on safety — 64/100 safety versus 40/100. Lean Fresno instead when you already know the Fresno block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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