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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Boise

Idaho
112

El Paso is 40% cheaper than Boise.

$1,041/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$1,359/mo ↑ 31%
$58,734/yr ↓ 28%
Median Income
$81,308/yr ↑ 38%
$171,700 ↓ 62%
Home Value
$456,000 ↑ 166%
$1,044/mo ↓ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,337/mo ↑ 28%
678,147
Population
235,701

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Boise, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 112 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $318/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $3,816/year.

Median household income is $22,574/year higher in Boise. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $456,000 in Boise.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Boise — common questions

Is El Paso or Boise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Boise?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Boise it's $1,359/month — a difference of $318/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Boise?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $81,308 in Boise. Median household income is $22,574/year higher in Boise.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Idaho?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Boise?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Boise has a cost index of 112 with rent of $1,359/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Boise details →

More Comparisons

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