Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Chula Vista, CA (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Chula Vista

California
178

El Paso is 62% cheaper than Chula Vista.

$1,041/mo ↓ 51%
Median Rent
$2,122/mo ↑ 104%
$58,734/yr ↓ 44%
Median Income
$105,173/yr ↑ 79%
$171,700 ↓ 75%
Home Value
$697,400 ↑ 306%
$1,044/mo ↓ 55%
Owner Costs
$2,342/mo ↑ 124%
678,147
Population
275,030

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Chula Vista, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 178 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,081/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $12,972/year.

Median household income is $46,439/year higher in Chula Vista. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $697,400 in Chula Vista.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Chula Vista — common questions

Is El Paso or Chula Vista cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 178 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Chula Vista?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Chula Vista it's $2,122/month — a difference of $1,081/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Chula Vista?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $105,173 in Chula Vista. Median household income is $46,439/year higher in Chula Vista.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Chula Vista?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Chula Vista has a cost index of 178 with rent of $2,122/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Chula Vista details →

More Comparisons

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