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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

El Paso is 19% cheaper than Athens.

$1,041/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↑ 12%
$58,734/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 12%
$171,700 ↓ 37%
Home Value
$271,800 ↑ 58%
$1,044/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↑ 11%
678,147
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $121/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $1,452/year.

Median household income is $7,079/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Georgia's 5.49% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Athens — common questions

Is El Paso or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 83 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Athens?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $121/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Athens?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $7,079/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Georgia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Athens details →

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