City comparison
Yes. El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 169 in Richmond, and its violent crime index is 88 versus 122, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
El Paso is cheaper. Median rent is $1,073 a month versus $1,372 in Richmond.
Safety is where El Paso and Richmond split most clearly. El Paso scores 82 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 $1,372 in Richmond.
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. Richmond 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 Richmond are 1,690 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,073 a month in El Paso to $1,372 a month in Richmond, up $299 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $59,745 in El Paso to $64,587 in Richmond, up $4,842 (8%).
The crime index goes from 87 in El Paso to 169 in Richmond, up 82 points (94%).
The move
Richmond and El Paso are 1,690 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,073 a month in El Paso, down $299 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $59,745 in El Paso, down $4,842 (7%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 87 in El Paso, down 82 points (49%).
El Paso, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Richmond, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing El Paso and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
El Paso rent is 22% cheaper than Richmond
El Paso
Winner$1,073/mo
Richmond
$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,073 a month in El Paso versus $1,372 in Richmond, so El Paso is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $299/month back in your pocket ($3,588/year). Over five years that's $17,940 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 Richmond, 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
8% higher
Richmond's median income is 8% higher than El Paso
El Paso
$59,745
Richmond
Winner$64,587
Median household income is $64,587 in Richmond versus $59,745 in El Paso, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Richmond (about $4,842 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
49% lower crime
El Paso's crime index is 49% lower than Richmond
El Paso
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Richmond
169 (100 = avg)
El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 169 in Richmond (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 49% 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. Richmond can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
28% more comfortable
El Paso weather is 28% more comfortable than Richmond
El Paso
Winner66°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 100/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
El Paso averages about 66°F (72°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). El Paso sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. El Paso scores 28% 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 Richmond 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 22% 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 Richmond on this page's weather index by 28%. Richmond 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 49% lower than Richmond (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
Richmond is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($64,587). Start with Richmond 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 44/100 in Richmond. Rent is $1,073/month in El Paso and $1,372/month in Richmond, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Richmond still pays more locally ($64,587 median income vs $59,745), which can offset the lease if your field pays Richmond rates.
Weather averages land near 66°F in El Paso and 57°F in Richmond.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in El Paso; Richmond only makes sense when you have walked the Richmond ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,372 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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