El Paso County

Texas · TX

#251 in Texas
49.9
County Score

County Report Card

About El Paso County, Texas

El Paso Moderately Above National Median

El Paso County's composite score of 56.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 12%, showing above-average livability but trailing most peer counties. The county's performance reflects mixed strengths and notable challenges across dimensions.

Below Texas State Average

With a score of 56.2, El Paso County falls 10.6 points below the Texas state average of 66.8, placing it in the lower half of Texas counties for livability. This underperformance is driven by significant tax and income constraints.

Moderate Housing Affordability Provides Relief

El Paso County's cost score of 74.2 reflects reasonably priced housing relative to national standards, with median home values of $167,300 and median rent at $1,045 per month. This moderate affordability provides some breathing room despite other challenges.

Higher Taxes and Lower Incomes Weigh Heavily

El Paso County's effective tax rate of 2.086% is substantially higher than peer counties—nearly double Donley County's rate—while an income score of 21.8 reflects a median household income of $58,859. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and environment obscure a fuller assessment.

Fits Moderate-Income Families Seeking Balance

El Paso County suits families with moderate incomes who value reasonable housing costs but can absorb higher tax burdens. The county offers livability for those seeking urban/suburban amenities, though the tax-income dynamic requires careful financial planning.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax43.6Cost74.2SafetyComing SoonHealth48.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.8Risk4.5WaterComing Soon
🏛43.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠74.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼21.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
48.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
4.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

El Paso County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in El Paso County

via TaxByCounty

El Paso's taxes run significantly above average

El Paso County's effective tax rate of 2.086% ranks among the highest in Texas and well above the national median, with a median property tax of $3,490 exceeding the national median of $2,690 by 30%. This high rate reflects substantial investment in schools and county services serving a major metropolitan area.

Highest-taxing large county in Texas

El Paso County's 2.086% effective rate towers over the Texas state average of 1.276%, making it one of the state's most tax-heavy counties. The median property tax of $3,490 runs 59% above the state median of $2,193.

Steepest bill in West Texas by far

El Paso County's 2.086% rate and $3,490 median tax far exceed any nearby West Texas county; the next-highest peer, Ector County, sits at 1.280% and $2,438. This premium reflects El Paso's large urban school system and metropolitan service demands.

Plan for $3,490 in annual property tax

On a median home value of $167,300, typical El Paso County homeowners pay approximately $3,490 per year—substantially more than most Texas counties. Those with mortgages may see this rise to $4,290 when school and local taxes combine.

Challenge high valuations aggressively

With tax rates this high, even small overvaluations compound into hundreds of dollars in overcharge. File an annual protest with the El Paso County appraisal district and compare your assessed value to recent comparable sales—it's one of the few ways to reduce what you owe.

Cost of Living in El Paso County

via CostByCounty

El Paso housing costs squeeze incomes

Renters in El Paso County spend 21.3% of their income on housing while earning $58,859—notably below the national median of $74,755—creating a double squeeze. The $1,045 monthly rent demands a significant share of modest household earnings.

Above Texas average affordability strain

El Paso County's 21.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Texas's 18.1% state average, and its $1,045 rent sits 8% above the state median of $963. This positions El Paso as one of Texas's less affordable rental markets.

Urban center costs amid rural peers

El Paso County's $1,045 rent reflects its status as a major metropolitan area, placing it far above rural neighbors like Donley ($686) and Duval ($737). Median home values of $167,300 align with this urban pricing structure.

Both rent and ownership expensive

Renters spend $1,045/month and homeowners pay $1,000/month against the $58,859 income, with housing consuming roughly 21% of earnings. El Paso residents face substantial costs whether renting or buying, with owner expenses nearly matching rent.

Urban living at Southwest prices

El Paso offers city amenities with lower costs than Houston or Dallas, but remains pricier than rural Texas. If you need urban services and can tolerate 21% of income going to housing, El Paso delivers competitive value.

Income & Jobs in El Paso County

via IncomeByCounty

El Paso nears but trails national income

El Paso County's median household income of $58,859 sits about $15,900 below the U.S. median of $74,755, representing a 21% gap. While not among the nation's poorest, El Paso's earnings reflect a more economically challenged border region with diverse but moderate-wage employment.

Below Texas average, significant population

El Paso's $58,859 median household income trails Texas's state average of $64,737 by approximately $5,878. With one of Texas's largest populations, El Paso's modest incomes affect hundreds of thousands of households—making the county's economic performance particularly significant statewide.

Mid-range earner among comparison counties

El Paso County's $58,859 income ranks higher than struggling rural counties like Duval ($50,081) but well below stronger peers like Ector ($71,031). The county's position reflects a mix of military, retail, and cross-border trade employment with moderate wage characteristics.

Housing costs strain lower-income households

El Paso's rent-to-income ratio of 21.3% signals significant housing cost burden, with rents and mortgages consuming over one-fifth of household earnings. Median home values of $167,300 have risen substantially, outpacing income growth and pressuring renters and first-time buyers.

Build wealth through education and trade

El Paso County residents can leverage the region's military presence and international trade ties to access higher-wage careers in skilled trades, logistics, and technology. Pursue certifications and degree programs that align with border region growth industries to increase lifetime earning potential and wealth accumulation.

Health in El Paso County

via HealthByCounty

El Paso life expectancy exceeds nation

El Paso County residents live to 76.5 years on average, exceeding the U.S. average of 75.4 years by about 1 year. However, 28.2% report poor or fair health, well above the national average of 19.5%.

Longest-lived Texans with health gaps

El Paso County's 76.5-year life expectancy is the second-highest in this group and exceeds Texas's state average of 74.3 years. Yet its 23.5% uninsured rate and 28.2% poor/fair health rate suggest significant disparities within the county's large population.

Best longevity, mixed health perception

El Paso matches Ellis and Erath counties at the top for life expectancy (76.5, 76.8, 76.8 years respectively), but reports higher poor/fair health rates than both neighbors. The county's 23.5% uninsured rate exceeds Ellis (16.5%) and Erath (20.6%).

Large population, strong mental health access

El Paso County provides 50 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 140 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest mental health capacity in this analysis. Yet 23.5% uninsured and 28.2% reporting poor/fair health indicate coverage and health literacy gaps despite provider availability.

Mental health resources await coverage

El Paso's exceptional mental health infrastructure (140 providers per 100K) is underutilized by uninsured and underinsured residents; 23.5% lack coverage. Residents should explore Texas Health Insurance Marketplace plans and the county's community health centers to connect with these vital mental health services.

Disaster Risk in El Paso County

via RiskByCounty

El Paso County's Significant Risk

El Paso County scores 95.45 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Relatively High rating and placing it among America's most hazard-exposed counties. This exceptional elevation reflects El Paso's unique convergence of flood, wildfire, and earthquake risks—a combination uncommon in most of the United States. Residents face natural disaster exposure nearly double the national average.

Texas's Highest-Risk County

At 95.45, El Paso County ranks as the single most hazard-exposed county in Texas, nearly doubling the state average of 49.00. No other Texas county surpasses El Paso's composite risk score, making it the state's natural disaster capital by this measure. This exceptional elevation reflects the county's exposure to floods, wildfires, and earthquakes simultaneously.

Far Beyond Any Regional Comparison

El Paso County's 95.45 dramatically exceeds every nearby county: Ector (82.82), Edwards (5.73), and even the high-risk Ellis County (81.62) pale in comparison. El Paso stands isolated at the extreme high end of Texas's natural disaster risk distribution. This exceptional concentration of hazards makes El Paso's preparedness requirements unprecedented in the state.

Flood, Earthquake, and Wildfire Triangle

El Paso County faces an exceptional triple threat: flood risk at 96.82, earthquake risk at 92.08, and wildfire risk at 70.96, creating a unique hazard convergence unmatched in Texas. These three hazards account for the vast majority of the county's 95.45 composite score. No other Texas county requires insurance preparedness across this specific combination of disaster types.

Flood, Earthquake, and Wildfire Coverage Imperative

El Paso County residents must obtain separate flood insurance—the county's 96.82 score demands this, and standard policies exclude flooding. Earthquake insurance is equally critical at 92.08 exposure and is typically unavailable through standard homeowners policies. Add comprehensive wildfire coverage and document your home's contents thoroughly for disaster recovery.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.