Head-to-Head · City Comparison
El Paso, TX
VS
Olathe, KS
🏆 Olathe leads 14 of 23 categories
El Paso
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,710
Violent Crime Index
73
Population
677,181 ✓ Larger
Olathe
Kansas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3
Median Household Income
$108,077 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
52 ✓ Safer
Population
142,114
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
El Paso, TX
Pros
Homes cost $159k less ($159,300 vs $317,900)
Rent averages $253/mo less ($976 vs $1,229)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 39°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.2)
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Olathe
Cons
Median income trails Olathe by $52,367/yr
Higher unemployment (6.8% vs 3.2%)
Olathe, KS
Pros
Households earn $52,367 more per year on average
30% less violent crime than El Paso
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.6 pts lower (3.2%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (196.0 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 50.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $317,900
Cost of living runs 3% higher than El Paso
Key Differences at a Glance
El Paso
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 90.2 vs 93.3 (100 = US avg)
El Paso
Median Home Value
$159k less
$159,300 vs $317,900
El Paso
Summer Heat
7.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.8°F vs 88.2°F
Olathe
Median Income
$52,367
$108,077 vs $55,710/yr
Olathe
Violent Crime
30% lower
196.0 vs 278.4 per 100k
Olathe
Unemployment
3.6 pp lower
3.2% vs 6.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Olathe, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.2 ✓ Cheaper | 93.3 |
| Median Home Value | $159,300 ✓ Lower | $317,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $976 ✓ Lower | $1,229 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $55,710 | $108,077 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8%⚠ High | 3.2% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.7 min | 21.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.7% | 16.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 72 | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 73 | 52 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 71 | 45 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 4.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.1% | 50.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.5% | 94.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | EL PASO ISD | School for Deaf |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.6°F ✓ Warmer | 38.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.8°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.3" ✓ Drier | 40.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.8" ✓ Less | 13.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 677,181 ✓ Larger | 142,114 |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 36.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.5% | 73.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% | 26.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
El Paso's cost of living index is 90.2 vs Olathe's 93.3 (US average = 100).
El Paso is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Olathe leads 14 of 23 categories. El Paso wins 9 and Olathe wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from El Paso to Olathe or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($159,300 vs $317,900 median home), income ($55,710 vs $108,077), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
El Paso, TX and Olathe, KS are about 814 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.