Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Costa Mesa, CA (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

El Paso is 71% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,041/mo ↓ 57%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 130%
$58,734/yr ↓ 47%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↑ 87%
$171,700 ↓ 84%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 514%
$1,044/mo ↓ 58%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 136%
678,147
Population
110,538

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,354/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $16,248/year.

Median household income is $51,339/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

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 Costa Mesa — common questions

Is El Paso or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $1,354/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $51,339/year higher in Costa Mesa.
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 Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Costa Mesa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Costa Mesa

El Paso vs. Nashville El Paso vs. Washington El Paso vs. Oklahoma City El Paso vs. Boston El Paso vs. Denver El Paso vs. Las Vegas Costa Mesa vs. Everett Costa Mesa vs. Temecula Costa Mesa vs. Miami Gardens Costa Mesa vs. Ventura Costa Mesa vs. Pueblo Costa Mesa vs. Santa Maria