10-06-2025
El Paso is No. 2 'Best Big City to Live in the US,' according to US News & World Report
El Paso is one of the top big cities to live in, according to a report by U.S News and World Report.
The Sun City landed in the No. 2 spot for the publication's "Best Big Cities to Live in the U.S. in 2025-2026" list, beating out other Texas metros like Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and Houston. To top the list, a place must earn high scores in criteria such as desirability and quality of life.
El Paso earned the ranking because of its lower-than-average cost of living, warm weather, average commute time, income and rent. According to U.S. News and World Report, El Paso has an average commute time of 21 minutes, a median home value of $175,800, a median household income of $57,754, and a median monthly rent of $883.
The cost of living in El Paso is lower than the national average, and housing costs are significantly lower than those in other major metropolitan areas, including Houston and Austin, the report noted.
Overall, El Paso received a 6.2/10 overall score, alongside first place Oklahoma City.
"Today, El Paso attracts a wide variety of residents with its array of recreational and cultural offerings," the report said. "El Paso gets a bad rap for its proximity to Juarez, Mexico. But the metro area is safer than you might think, and job opportunities here can be found in a number of fields, from government to health care."
El Paso also landed on other lists by U.S. News and Report, including No. 32 in "Best Place to Live in Texas," and No. 56 in "Best Places to Retire."
Here is where other Texas cities landed on the "Best Big Cities to live in the U.S" list:
No. 3. Austin
No. 4. Ft. Worth
No. 6. San Antonio
No. 10. Houston
No. 13. Dallas
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@ @NatassiaPaloma on Twitter; natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.
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This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Report: El Paso lands No. 2 spot in 'Best Big City to Live in the US'
