Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs College Station, TX (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

College Station

Texas
91

El Paso is 26% cheaper than College Station.

$1,041/mo ↓ 11%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↑ 12%
$58,734/yr ↑ 13%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 12%
$171,700 ↓ 47%
Home Value
$326,500 ↑ 90%
$1,044/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↑ 20%
678,147
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $127/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $1,524/year.

Median household income is $6,958/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs College Station — common questions

Is El Paso or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and College Station?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $127/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or College Station?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $6,958/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Texas?
Both cities are in Texas and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View College Station details →

More Comparisons

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