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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Boston

Massachusetts
176

El Paso is 109% cheaper than Boston.

$1,041/mo ↓ 50%
Median Rent
$2,093/mo ↑ 101%
$58,734/yr ↓ 38%
Median Income
$94,755/yr ↑ 61%
$171,700 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$710,400 ↑ 314%
$1,044/mo ↓ 52%
Owner Costs
$2,176/mo ↑ 108%
678,147
Population
663,972

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.0%
6.25%
Sales Tax
6.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 176 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,052/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $12,624/year.

Median household income is $36,021/year higher in Boston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $710,400 in Boston.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Boston — common questions

Is El Paso or Boston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Boston?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Boston it's $2,093/month — a difference of $1,052/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Boston?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $94,755 in Boston. Median household income is $36,021/year higher in Boston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Massachusetts?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Boston?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Boston has a cost index of 176 with rent of $2,093/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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