The El Paso metro is home to 869,606 people (up 3.3% over five years), with a median household income of $58,800. Typical rent of $1,521/month works out to 31.0% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of El Paso's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 25.7% |
| Retail trade | 11.4% |
| Professional & management | 10.7% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.5% |
| Construction | 7.6% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 31.0% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the El Paso market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,521/month suggests a household income around $61,000/year. The metro's median household income is $58,800.
By workforce share: Education & health care (25.7%), Retail trade (11.4%), Professional & management (10.7%) (Census ACS 5-year).