Severe Smoke Risk

El Paso, TX Air Quality Report & Trends

Analysis & History

The Verdict

Declining

This places El Paso, TX in the bottom 6% of US cities for air quality.

Plan your outdoor activities carefully in April, the statistical peak for AQI spikes in TX.

Health Recommendation

Sensitive groups should consider monitoring daily forecast apps significantly closer.

10-Year Annual PM2.5 Average

Analysis: Annual average Median AQI from 2015 to 2025.

Compared to national averages, El Paso, TX has a unique air quality profile driven by seasonal changes. Alarmingly, annual PM2.5 averages have surged over the last decade, largely driven by particle pollution.

Seasonal Risk Calendar

The "Smoke Season" Calendar

Worst Month: April
Jan68.1
Feb63.7
Mar76.7
Apr99.5
May80.4
Jun88.8
Jul90.5
Aug78.7
Sep65.3
Oct80.7
Nov49.4
Dec70.5

Values represent historical Average Monthly AQI (PM2.5). Higher is worse.

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sq ft
Small Bedroom (100)Open Living (800+)
Required Smoke CADR: 192
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Wildfire smoke is 2.5 microns wide—too small for normal filters. Using an undersized purifier is dangerous false security.

Common Questions

When is the worst time for air quality in El Paso, TX?

Based on 10 years of data, the worst months for air quality in El Paso, TX are: April (AQI 99.5), July (AQI 90.5), June (AQI 88.8). These months typically see the highest concentrations of PM2.5 due to fine particulate matter trapped by local geography.

Is it safe to move to El Paso, TX given the air quality?

Yes, but with caveats. El Paso, TX offers an incredible quality of life, but new residents should be aware of the "pollution season." Most homes in the area need robust air filtration systems to maintain safe indoor levels during these few weeks a year.

Why is the air in El Paso, TX getting worse?

The primary driver is industrial activity and inversion layers. While local vehicle emissions have largely stabilized, fine particulate matter trapped by local geography frequently settles in the El Paso, TX valley, driving up the annual PM2.5 averages.

Do I really need an air purifier in El Paso, TX?

Based on the 10-year analysis, absolutely. The levels of PM2.5 recorded during peak events are unsafe for indoor occupation without filtration. A CADR-rated purifier is considered essential appliance for El Paso, TX households.

How accurate is this data?

This report is built on official EPA Air Quality System (AQS) data. We aggregated daily summary files from 2014 to present to build these charts. Unlike real-time apps that estimate, this is the verified historical record.

Broader Risk Analysis

Is El Paso, TX safe from other disasters?

Air quality is just one factor. Check our sister site for a complete analysis of tornado, hurricane, and flood risks.

Full Safety Report →

Summary

This report isn't meant to scare, but to prepare. El Paso, TX has a bright future, provided its residents take air quality seriously.

Data VerifiedUpdated 2025