Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Abilene, TX (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

El Paso is 6% cheaper than Abilene.

$1,041/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↑ 6%
$58,734/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↑ 7%
$171,700 ↓ 4%
Home Value
$178,900 ↑ 4%
$1,044/mo ↓ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↑ 7%
678,147
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $65/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $780/year.

Median household income is $3,986/year higher in Abilene. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Abilene — common questions

Is El Paso or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 71 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Abilene?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $65/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Abilene?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $3,986/year higher in Abilene.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Texas?
Both cities are in Texas and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Abilene

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