City comparison
Yes. El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 93 in Tampa, and its violent crime index is 88 versus 112, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
El Paso is cheaper. Median rent is $1,073 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
The cost gap between El Paso and Tampa is the real story here. El Paso comes in 37% cheaper on typical rent ($1,073 vs $1,701), which over a year adds up to $7,536. Median household income runs $59,745 in El Paso and $75,475 in Tampa.
This is a genuine split. El Paso wins on cost of living and safety and Tampa 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 Tampa are 1,461 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,073 a month in El Paso to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $628 a month (59%).
Median household income goes from $59,745 in El Paso to $75,475 in Tampa, up $15,730 (26%).
The crime index goes from 87 in El Paso to 93 in Tampa, up 6 points (7%).
The move
Tampa and El Paso are 1,461 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,073 a month in El Paso, down $628 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $59,745 in El Paso, down $15,730 (21%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 87 in El Paso, down 6 points (6%).
El Paso, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Tampa, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing El Paso and Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
El Paso rent is 37% cheaper than Tampa
El Paso
Winner$1,073/mo
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Typical rent runs $1,073 a month in El Paso versus $1,701 in Tampa, so El Paso is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $628/month back in your pocket ($7,536/year). Over five years that's $37,680 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 Tampa, 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
26% higher
Tampa's median income is 26% higher than El Paso
El Paso
$59,745
Tampa
Winner$75,475
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $59,745 in El Paso, so typical pay runs 26% higher in Tampa (about $15,730 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, Tampa 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
6% lower crime
El Paso's crime index is 6% lower than Tampa
El Paso
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Tampa
93 (100 = avg)
El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 93 in Tampa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 6% lower in El Paso. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in El Paso, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Tampa. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
El Paso and Tampa are about even on typical weather.
El Paso
66°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tampa
75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
El Paso averages about 66°F (72°F highs); Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs). El Paso sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tampa sits near 75°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 37% 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 6% lower than Tampa (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
Tampa is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 26% higher here ($75,475). Start with Tampa if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Tampa runs $1,701/month while El Paso sits at $1,073 — roughly 37% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Tampa-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
El Paso rent at $1,073/month is still below Tampa's $1,701, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 64/100 in El Paso and 62/100 in Tampa.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in El Paso; Tampa only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Tampa at $75,475 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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