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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Allentown

Pennsylvania
79

El Paso is 15% cheaper than Allentown.

$1,041/mo ↓ 18%
Median Rent
$1,269/mo ↑ 22%
$58,734/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$53,403/yr ↓ 9%
$171,700 ↓ 9%
Home Value
$188,900 ↑ 10%
$1,044/mo ↓ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,243/mo ↑ 19%
678,147
Population
125,320

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.07%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.49%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Allentown, PA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $228/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $2,736/year.

Median household income is $5,331/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $188,900 in Allentown.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Pennsylvania's 3.07% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Allentown — common questions

Is El Paso or Allentown cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 79 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Allentown?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Allentown it's $1,269/month — a difference of $228/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Allentown?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $53,403 in Allentown. Median household income is $5,331/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Pennsylvania?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Pennsylvania has 3.07% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.49% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Allentown?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Allentown has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,269/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Allentown details →

More Comparisons

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