City comparison
No. El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 88 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
El Paso is cheaper. Median rent is $1,073 a month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia.
Safety is where Philadelphia and El Paso split most clearly. El Paso scores 174 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,073 in El Paso.
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. Philadelphia 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
Philadelphia and El Paso are 1,832 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,073 a month in El Paso, down $324 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $59,745 in El Paso, down $2,208 (4%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 87 in El Paso, down 174 points (67%).
The move
El Paso and Philadelphia are 1,832 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,073 a month in El Paso to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, up $324 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $59,745 in El Paso to $61,953 in Philadelphia, up $2,208 (4%).
The crime index goes from 87 in El Paso to 261 in Philadelphia, up 174 points (200%).
Philadelphia, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
El Paso, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Philadelphia and El Paso? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
El Paso rent is 23% cheaper than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$1,397/mo
El Paso
Winner$1,073/mo
Typical rent runs $1,073 a month in El Paso versus $1,397 in Philadelphia, so El Paso is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $324/month back in your pocket ($3,888/year). Over five years that's $19,440 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 Philadelphia, 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
4% higher
Philadelphia's median income is 4% higher than El Paso
Philadelphia
Winner$61,953
El Paso
$59,745
Median household income is $61,953 in Philadelphia versus $59,745 in El Paso, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Philadelphia (about $2,208 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
67% lower crime
El Paso's crime index is 67% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
El Paso
Winner87 (100 = avg)
El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 67% 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. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
El Paso weather is 20% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
59°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 83/100
El Paso
Winner72°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Philadelphia averages about 59°F (67°F highs); El Paso averages about 72°F (79°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. El Paso sits near 72°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. El Paso scores 20% 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 Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Philadelphia is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 4% higher here ($61,953). Start with Philadelphia if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 23% 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 (72°F) beat Philadelphia on this page's weather index by 20%. Philadelphia 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 67% lower than Philadelphia (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.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward El Paso: El Paso scores 64/100 versus 31/100 in Philadelphia, with typical rent at $1,073 versus $1,397. I would vet the exact ZIP in Philadelphia before trading 33 safety points for housing savings.
Philadelphia still pays more locally ($61,953 median income vs $59,745), which can offset the lease if your field pays Philadelphia rates.
Weather averages land near 59°F in Philadelphia and 72°F in El Paso.
If safety drives your move, El Paso is the stronger match (64/100 safety versus 31/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Philadelphia, treat $1,397/month rent and $61,953 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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