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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

El Paso is 48% cheaper than Charleston.

$1,041/mo ↓ 36%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↑ 57%
$58,734/yr ↓ 35%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 53%
$171,700 ↓ 63%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 173%
$1,044/mo ↓ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↑ 62%
678,147
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $591/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $7,092/year.

Median household income is $31,304/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Charleston — common questions

Is El Paso or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Charleston?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $591/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Charleston?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $31,304/year higher in Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and South Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Charleston has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Charleston details →

More Comparisons

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