El Paso is the biggest city you've probably never spent time in. 700,000 plus people, the westernmost city in Texas, and a place where Mexican-American culture, military presence, and high desert landscape all live in the same zip code. Our newest BIA clinic sits in Cimarron Plaza on the northwest side, tucked into the foothills of the Franklin Mountains. You're 15 minutes from downtown, 5 minutes from the largest urban park in the country, and 45 minutes from Las Cruces if you ever want to work between markets. It's a real city with a small town pace on the west side, and a cost of living that holds up against any major metro in the country.
The largest urban wilderness park in the United States, sitting inside the El Paso city limits. 24,000 plus acres, 100 miles of trails, world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, and a 7,192 foot summit. The Tom Mays Unit on the west side is 10 minutes from Cimarron Plaza. Whether you want a 45 minute walk or a full-day push to North Franklin Peak, this is your backyard.
A short, steep three quarter mile climb in the Tom Mays Unit that ends at smoke-stained caves with sweeping Chihuahuan Desert views. The classic west side intro hike. Bring water.
Tucked into the east side of the Franklin Mountains. Scenic canyon drive with access to hiking, cycling, and quiet desert views. Hosts outdoor concerts and events at the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre, making it both a recreation spot and a unique local venue.
The only publicly accessible aerial tramway in Texas. Ride to the top of Ranger Peak for panoramic views across El Paso, Juárez, and southern New Mexico. Hike down via the Thousand Steps Trail if you want to earn it.
30 minutes east. World-class bouldering destination with ancient Native American pictographs scattered across rock shelters. One of the best climbing spots in the country, and a unique day trip even if you don't climb.
A 5 to 6 hour drive south, but worth knowing it's there. 800,000 acres of canyon, river, and Chihuahuan Desert wilderness. The longest weekend trip on this list and the most rewarding.
110 miles east. Home to Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,749 feet. 80 plus miles of trails through desert, riparian, wooded, and forested terrain. A true wilderness national park most Texans never visit.
Local favorite for tacos, seafood, and casual Mexican fare. Fast, affordable, and consistently good, with multiple locations across the west side.
West side brunch and coffee spot with a modern feel. Known for elevated breakfast plates, good coffee, and a steady weekend crowd.
Trend-forward coffee shop and café in the heart of downtown. A go-to for lighter fare, espresso, and a clean, aesthetic space that stands out from traditional spots.
Casual American spot with a focus on burgers, sandwiches, and a laid-back bar atmosphere. Easy place for a quick meal or to meet up with coworkers after a shift.
Wood-fired pizza with a desert-inspired menu and high-quality ingredients. One of the better options in the city if you're looking for something outside of Tex-Mex.
Newer concept with a more upscale, modern take on Mexican cuisine. Stylish interior, strong cocktails, and a good option for date nights or hosting out-of-town guests.
Master-planned community in the Franklin Mountain foothills, walking distance to BIA. Mix of single-family homes, gated subdivisions, and luxury apartments at Las Mansiones at Cimarron. Canyons at Cimarron commercial village has the daily-needs retail, restaurants, and shopping. Newer construction throughout. Canutillo ISD schools, which earn back-to-back A ratings from the Texas Education Agency.
West side, along the Rio Grande. Older homes, larger lots, mature trees, and a slower pace. East Bank, Love Road, and Riverbend are the established communities here. If you want space, character, and proximity to the El Paso Country Club, this is the area.
The established west side. EPISD's strongest high schools (Franklin and Coronado) zone here. Mix of mid-century and newer construction. Mesa Street is the main commercial corridor and covers groceries, restaurants, and daily-needs retail.
Walkable, urban, near UTEP. Historic homes, brick streets, and the closest thing El Paso has to a true urban neighborhood. Good fit for anyone who wants to walk to coffee, food, and a college town vibe.
El Paso has multiple independent school districts depending on which side of town you live on.
Canutillo ISD serves the northwest, including Cimarron. Earned back-to-back A ratings from the Texas Education Agency, the highest rated district in the El Paso region.
El Paso ISD (EPISD) serves the west side, west central, central, and northeast. Franklin and Coronado High Schools consistently rank among the top public high schools in West Texas.
Socorro ISD (East Side and Far East) and Ysleta ISD (Lower Valley) serve other parts of the city, both rated B+ or higher.
Private options. Cathedral High School and Loretto Academy are the two most established Catholic options. Several other private and parochial schools serve K through 12 across the city.
Higher ed. University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) anchors the city. R1 research designation, NCAA Division I athletics in Conference USA. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso runs the Foster School of Medicine. El Paso Community College is the largest two-year college in the region.
El Paso is one of the most affordable major cities in Texas and the broader Southwest. Average rent across the city is around $1,113 per month, among the lowest of any major U.S. city.
Apartment rents typically run:
- Studios: $700 to $850
- One bedroom: $900 to $1,200
- Two bedroom: $1,100 to $1,500
Median home price is around $260,000 to $280,000.
How El Paso compares to bigger markets clinicians often consider. All of these cities are more expensive than El Paso:
- Albuquerque runs about 5 to 8 percent more
- Phoenix runs about 12 to 18 percent more
- Dallas runs about 15 to 20 percent more
- Austin runs about 30 to 35 percent more
- Denver runs about 35 to 40 percent more
Texas has no state income tax. That's the biggest financial differentiator from working across the state line in New Mexico. For a clinician earning a typical PT salary, that's a meaningful annual difference, often several thousand dollars depending on your bracket.