Philadelphia, PA, often referred to as "Philly," is a city steeped in history and culture. In contrast, El Paso, TX, provides a unique intersection of culture, reflecting both Mexican and American heritage. The two cities are unique, diverse, and offer different living experiences for residents and varying attractions for tourists. Crime rates, costs of living, education, and local economies can have significant impacts on your decision to live or visit these cities.
Distance between
Philadelphia, PA and
El Paso, TX : 1,829.3 miles
Philadelphia's population is larger by 132%. Its population has grown by 58,701 people (3.9%) since 2000. The population of El Paso has grown by 114,753 people (20.4%) during that time.
Philadelphia has higher crime rates as compared to El Paso. While the crime rate has been falling in Philadelphia over the years, it remains higher than the national average. On the other hand, El Paso is often ranked as one of the safest major cities in the U.S. Tourists and residents should always exercise caution and stay in safer neighborhoods in either city.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 2,776 registered sex offenders living in Philadelphia and 1,274 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Philadelphia is 565 to 1; the ratio in El Paso is 536 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents in Philadelphia is near to than in El Paso.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Philadelphia is higher than in El Paso. Housing is the biggest factor contributing to this difference. Real estate in Philadelphia is more expensive than El Paso. However, the cost of utilities, groceries, and healthcare is somewhat comparable in both cities.
Income Tax
Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax rate of 3.07%, and Philadelphia imposes an additional city income tax. Texas, including El Paso, does not have a state income tax, which can lead to significant savings for residents.
Property Tax
Property taxes are comparatively lower in Philadelphia than in El Paso. While rates can vary, the average property tax rate in Philadelphia is lower than the average property tax rate in El Paso.
Sales Tax
Philadelphia's sales tax is higher than El Paso's. Philadelphia imposes a 2% city sales tax on top of the Pennsylvania state sales tax of 6%, while El Paso has a sales tax rate of 8.25% (Texas state sales tax of 6.25% plus local taxes).
Income
Type
Philadelphia
El Paso
Estimated median household income
$52,899
$51,241
Estimated per capita income
$32,707
$25,670
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
105.4
82.2
If you make $50,000 in El Paso, you will have to make $64,112 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Philadelphia is situated in the Northeast U.S. with access to rivers, while El Paso is in Western Texas, located in the Chihuahuan Desert, offering desert landscapes and proximity to mountains and the Rio Grande.
Both cities have several colleges and universities. Philadelphia has more reputed institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. In contrast, El Paso's higher education is mainly provided by the University of Texas at El Paso. Educational opportunities for K-12 are somewhat comparable in both cities.
Philadelphia's economy is diversified with financial services, healthcare, biotechnology, and information technology contributing significantly. Conversely, El Paso's economy is primarily driven by trade, healthcare, tourism, and the military. Job opportunities in Philadelphia are generally better, reflecting its larger and more diversified economy.
Biggest Employers
In Philadelphia, the biggest employers are the federal and city government, the University of Pennsylvania, and Johnson & Johnson. El Paso's major employers include Fort Bliss, El Paso Independent School District, and the University Hospital of El Paso.
There were 1,553 building permits issued in Philadelphia in 2012 (1108 more than in 2011) compared to 1,961 building permits issued in El Paso in 2012 (1005 less than in 2011).
In Philadelphia (Philadelphia County), 85.2% voted for Democrats and 14.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In El Paso (El Paso County), 65.5% voted for Democrats and 33.2% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Philadelphia
El Paso
Philadelphia
El Paso
Philadelphia
El Paso
2020
81.2%
66.8%
17.9%
31.6%
0.9%
1.6%
2016
82.3%
69.1%
15.3%
26.0%
2.4%
4.9%
2012
85.2%
65.5%
14.0%
33.2%
0.8%
1.3%
2008
83.2%
66.0%
16.4%
33.4%
0.4%
0.6%
2004
80.6%
56.2%
19.4%
43.3%
0.0%
0.5%
2000
80.4%
57.9%
18.1%
39.8%
1.5%
2.3%
1996
77.4%
62.3%
16.0%
32.1%
6.6%
5.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Philadelphia
El Paso
Philadelphia
El Paso
CATHOLIC CHURCH
24.8%
43.2%
8.8%
11.3%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
3.8%
0.0%
6.7%
0.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.6%
0.1%
3.1%
0.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
2.2%
3.3%
9.9%
26.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.1%
3.8%
1.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.1%
3.1%
1.0%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.0%
1.4%
0.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
1.7%
1.6%
Weather
Philadelphia experiences a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Winters can be cold with occasional snowfall, while summers can be hot and humid. Conversely, El Paso has a desert climate, with hot summers and mild winters. It is drier with much more sun exposure than Philly, which might suit residents and tourists who enjoy brighter, drier weather conditions.
Weather and climate
Type
Philadelphia
El Paso
Temperature - Average
54.8°F
64.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
69.9%
42.7%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
42.8%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82%
59.8%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
17%
Precipitation - Yearly average
45.7 in
9.4 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
45.1 in
10.7 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.4%
31.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
59.8%
89.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
18%
13.9%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
63%
89.3%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
45%
75.4%
Wind speed - Average
10 mph
8.9 mph
Average climate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Average climate in El Paso, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Philadelphia
El Paso
Philadelphia
El Paso
Philadelphia
El Paso
Philadelphia
El Paso
Philadelphia
El Paso
Philadelphia
El Paso
Philadelphia
El Paso
Philadelphia
El Paso
2018
99
139
0.37
0.17
10.7
14.0
24.3
32.0
N/A
N/A
17.2
35.7
9.2
9.2
0.9
N/A
2017
105
173
0.32
0.19
11.0
13.0
25.3
30.5
0.004
N/A
22.3
40.4
8.9
9.5
1.0
0.5
2016
99
148
0.30
0.17
13.6
12.6
25.1
30.6
0.007
N/A
23.2
35.2
9.5
9.2
1.4
0.5
2015
110
112
0.34
0.18
15.8
12.7
22.6
30.8
0.007
N/A
23.9
31.2
10.5
8.0
1.8
0.5
2014
105
157
0.34
0.13
16.8
12.8
23.1
30.0
0.027
N/A
23.0
40.3
11.7
9.7
2.2
0.4
2013
105
211
0.27
0.23
16.7
14.1
22.5
30.5
0.029
N/A
31.0
43.9
10.5
10.8
1.5
0.4
2012
111
229
0.29
0.30
17.8
15.9
23.0
31.6
0.040
N/A
14.6
40.2
11.7
11.6
1.5
0.4
2011
113
221
0.28
0.23
19.9
15.9
24.3
31.2
0.039
N/A
16.9
34.7
9.8
11.6
1.9
0.5
2010
116
211
0.30
0.25
20.1
15.3
23.0
29.4
0.009
N/A
21.7
28.8
12.2
7.9
2.6
0.3
2009
95
117
0.32
0.23
18.9
15.4
19.7
29.5
0.011
N/A
18.0
28.6
11.9
8.3
2.9
0.3
2008
112
210
0.30
0.25
19.8
15.2
19.1
30.1
0.010
0.017
16.8
34.6
13.9
9.7
3.8
0.6
2007
128
134
0.42
0.28
21.6
13.9
23.3
30.6
0.019
0.019
17.5
40.5
12.3
8.4
4.2
0.4
2006
112
241
0.52
0.37
21.4
14.3
22.5
30.6
0.016
0.018
18.3
55.0
13.1
11.1
4.2
0.3
2005
108
159
0.58
0.43
24.4
13.1
20.8
29.6
0.018
0.013
19.7
44.5
N/A
9.6
5.0
0.6
2004
102
183
0.58
0.38
24.1
13.5
18.9
29.2
0.023
0.020
19.1
47.3
N/A
8.2
5.2
0.4
2003
103
278
0.62
0.46
23.8
15.5
19.7
29.5
0.034
0.039
19.6
60.4
N/A
10.8
5.4
0.6
2002
128
203
0.56
0.43
26.8
16.4
21.2
30.5
0.035
0.034
18.3
53.3
N/A
11.0
4.9
0.4
2001
119
139
0.63
0.51
27.9
15.5
20.0
28.7
0.014
0.046
20.6
N/A
N/A
9.8
5.6
0.7
2000
111
145
0.68
0.67
26.7
17.8
19.0
27.8
0.034
0.072
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.1
5.5
1.0
Natural disasters
Type
Philadelphia
El Paso
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
96.6%
4.2%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
34.4%
524.4%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
22%
11%
Transportation
Philadelphia has an extensive public transportation system, which includes buses, subways, and trams. Also, the city is quite walkable and bike-friendly. El Paso's public transport system is developing with buses being the main mode of transport. However, owning a vehicle is more necessary in El Paso due to its sprawling layout.
Transport
Type
Philadelphia
El Paso
Amtrak stations
2
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
347
331
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
6
Means of transportation to work
Type
Philadelphia
El Paso
Bicycle
2%
0.3%
Bus
11.7%
1.3%
Carpooled
8.7%
11.2%
Car alone
60%
83.4%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.2%
Railroad
0.7%
0%
Streetcar
4.2%
0%
Subway
2.8%
0%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.1%
Walked
7.8%
1.6%
Average travel time to work
Type
Philadelphia
El Paso
Average
34.3 min
25.1 min
Other means
28.2 min
22.2 min
Public transportation
45.6 min
46.4 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Philadelphia
El Paso
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
86.4%
88.5%
In 2 person carpool
10.2%
7.9%
In 3 person carpool
2%
2.1%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.3%
0.7%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Philadelphia is more expensive than in El Paso. This reflects in both rental prices and home buying options. Housing in El Paso is more affordable, and the city has one of the lowest homeownership costs among major U.S. cities.
Neighborhoods
Philadelphia's neighborhoods are diverse, with options for everyone. Areas like Fairmount are perfect for families while Fishtown attracts a younger crowd. El Paso's neighborhoods are diverse too, with areas like Kern Place popular among families given its proximity to parks and good schools.
Houses and residents
Type
Philadelphia
El Paso
Houses
733,015
261,779
Average household size (people)
2.5
3
Median year apartment built
1953
1982
Median year house/condo built
1947
1985
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16 years
14.7 years
Houses occupied
660,921 (90.2%)
242,529 (92.6%)
Houses occupied by owners
348,935 (52.8%)
147,788 (60.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
311,986 (47.2%)
94,741 (39.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,301
$570.82
Median monthly housing costs
$1,096
$939
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,453
$227,007
Estimated median house or condo value
$220,700
$152,800
Median numbers of rooms
5.5
5.4
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.2
6.2
Median house price - detached houses
$292,974
$187,761
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$357,727
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$264,854
$75,782
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$442,314
$266,003
Median house price - mobile homes
$163,609
$43,095
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$93,218
$9,296
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$239,791
$149,459
Median house price - All housing units
$256,324
$186,951
Median house age
73
38
Renting percentage
45.9%
39.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
5,426.1
1,051
House value disparities
38.4%
32.7%
Household income disparities
49.5%
46.6%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$86,108
$74,665
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$44,075
$52,954
Housing units without a mortgage
8,484 (4%)
1,889 (2.2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
18,029 (8.5%)
2,956 (3.4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
202,880 (96%)
84,973 (97.8%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
1,280 (0.6%)
250 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
22,966 (10.9%)
3,635 (4.2%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
15
14
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
3.7%
2%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
3.3%
2%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Philadelphia
El Paso
One, detached
9.9%
67.7%
One, attached
55.9%
4.4%
Two
7.4%
2.4%
3 or 4
6.7%
4.1%
5 to 9
2.8%
5.9%
10 to 19
2.5%
5.8%
20 to 49
3.1%
2.4%
50 or more
11.2%
4.8%
Mobile homes
0.3%
2.3%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.2%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
29,270
19,650
State government workers
16,901
12,525
Unpaid family workers
570
901
Industries and Occupations
Philadelphia's major industries include manufacturing, oil refining, food processing, healthcare, biotechnology, and financial services. El Paso, on the other hand, has a robust job sector in retail trade, healthcare, and social assistance. There's also a strong military presence, given its proximity to Fort Bliss.
Both cities offer good health care facilities. Philadelphia is home to some top-ranked hospitals, including the Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. El Paso also has well-respected hospitals, such as University Medical Center of El Paso and Del Sol Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Philadelphia
El Paso
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Philadelphia has more developed infrastructure with greater commercial and residential development. It also offers more public amenities. El Paso, while growing fast, still lacks some of the infrastructural sophistication of larger cities.
Infrastructure
Type
Philadelphia
El Paso
Hospitals
91
41
TV stations
24
10
Arenas or stadiums
7
2
Bank branches located here
329
89
Bank institutions located here
46
19
Main business address for public companies
47
7
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
1
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Philadelphia
El Paso
1999
3,294
1,994
2000
3,202
993
2001
2,480
704
2002
2,012
594
2003
3,268
1,268
2004
4,525
1,646
2005
6,637
2,316
2006
7,517
2,701
2007
5,750
2,051
2008
2,745
1,034
2009
1,390
454
Culture and Food
Cultural and culinary scenes in both cities are vibrant and diverse. Philly is known for its historical sites, museums, and diverse food, including the famous Philly cheesesteak. El Paso offers a unique blend of Mexican and American cultures and is known for its Tex-Mex cuisine.
Sports Teams
Sports culture is big in Philadelphia, home to the Eagles (NFL), Phillies (MLB), 76ers (NBA), and Flyers (NHL). El Paso, while not hosting any major league teams, has a dedicated fan base for college sports, minor league baseball (Chihuahuas), and soccer (Locomotive FC).
Philadelphia, PA
El Paso, TX
Philadelphia, PA and 
El Paso, TX : 1,829.3 miles
