City comparison
Yes. El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 142 in Raleigh, and its violent crime index is 88 versus 128, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
El Paso is cheaper. Median rent is $1,073 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
The income gap between El Paso and Raleigh is significant: $59,745 median household versus $85,395. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,073 in El Paso and $1,572 in Raleigh.
El Paso is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Raleigh makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone El Paso is the stronger move.
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 Raleigh are 1,618 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,073 a month in El Paso to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $499 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $59,745 in El Paso to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $25,650 (43%).
The crime index goes from 87 in El Paso to 142 in Raleigh, up 55 points (63%).
The move
Raleigh and El Paso are 1,618 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,073 a month in El Paso, down $499 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $59,745 in El Paso, down $25,650 (30%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 87 in El Paso, down 55 points (39%).
El Paso, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Raleigh, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing El Paso and Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
El Paso rent is 32% cheaper than Raleigh
El Paso
Winner$1,073/mo
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Typical rent runs $1,073 a month in El Paso versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so El Paso is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $499/month back in your pocket ($5,988/year). Over five years that's $29,940 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 Raleigh, 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
43% higher
Raleigh's median income is 43% higher than El Paso
El Paso
$59,745
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $59,745 in El Paso, so typical pay runs 43% higher in Raleigh (about $25,650 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, Raleigh 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
39% lower crime
El Paso's crime index is 39% lower than Raleigh
El Paso
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Raleigh
142 (100 = avg)
El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 142 in Raleigh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 39% 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. Raleigh can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
16% more comfortable
El Paso weather is 16% more comfortable than Raleigh
El Paso
Winner66°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 100/100
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
El Paso averages about 66°F (72°F highs); Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs). El Paso sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Raleigh averages around 60°F. El Paso scores 16% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Raleigh if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
El Paso is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% 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.
Pick El Paso if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (66°F) beat Raleigh on this page's weather index by 16%. Raleigh may pay more or cost less, but El Paso is the city where the forecast fights you less.
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 39% lower than Raleigh (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
Raleigh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 43% higher here ($85,395). Start with Raleigh 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 49/100 in Raleigh. Rent is $1,073/month in El Paso and $1,572/month in Raleigh, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Raleigh still pays more locally ($85,395 median income vs $59,745), which can offset the lease if your field pays Raleigh rates.
Median income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $59,745 in El Paso.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in El Paso; Raleigh only makes sense when you have walked the Raleigh ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,572 rent.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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