El Paso
Everyday numbers
How this city actually lives
Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.
Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.
Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.
Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.
Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.
Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.
Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.
Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.
Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.
Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.
Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.
Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.
Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.
What daily life feels like
More than a number
Why we chose it
El Paso is included in the 2027 MNM Livability Index as the #23 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates. Its strongest livability advantages are affordability; safety; culture; franklin mountains; sunshine; low congestion, while the largest tradeoffs are lower wages; limited major-industry diversity; hot summers; isolated from other major metros.
What living here actually feels like
El Paso feels distinctive, safe and binational, with desert landscapes and Mexican-American culture shaping everyday life.
Where it shines
Affordability; safety; culture; Franklin Mountains; sunshine; low congestion.
Where it falls short
Lower wages; limited major-industry diversity; hot summers; isolated from other major metros.