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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Arlington

Texas
95

El Paso is 29% cheaper than Arlington.

$1,041/mo ↓ 25%
Median Rent
$1,389/mo ↑ 33%
$58,734/yr ↓ 20%
Median Income
$73,519/yr ↑ 25%
$171,700 ↓ 38%
Home Value
$276,400 ↑ 61%
$1,044/mo ↓ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,420/mo ↑ 36%
678,147
Population
394,769

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
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Arlington, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $348/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $4,176/year.

Median household income is $14,785/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $276,400 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Arlington — common questions

Is El Paso or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 95 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Arlington?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Arlington it's $1,389/month — a difference of $348/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Arlington?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $73,519 in Arlington. Median household income is $14,785/year higher in Arlington.
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 Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,389/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Arlington details →

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