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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Cambridge

Massachusetts
239

El Paso is 72% cheaper than Cambridge.

$1,041/mo ↓ 62%
Median Rent
$2,742/mo ↑ 163%
$58,734/yr ↓ 54%
Median Income
$126,469/yr ↑ 115%
$171,700 ↓ 83%
Home Value
$1,040,500 ↑ 506%
$1,044/mo ↓ 60%
Owner Costs
$2,634/mo ↑ 152%
678,147
Population
117,794

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Cambridge, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 239 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,701/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $20,412/year.

Median household income is $67,735/year higher in Cambridge. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $1,040,500 in Cambridge.

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 Cambridge — common questions

Is El Paso or Cambridge cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 239 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Cambridge?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Cambridge it's $2,742/month — a difference of $1,701/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Cambridge?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $126,469 in Cambridge. Median household income is $67,735/year higher in Cambridge.
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 Cambridge?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Cambridge has a cost index of 239 with rent of $2,742/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Cambridge details →

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