Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Detroit, MI (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Detroit

Michigan
53

El Paso is 26% more expensive than Detroit.

$1,041/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,034/mo ≈ Same
$58,734/yr ↑ 48%
Median Income
$39,575/yr ↓ 33%
$171,700 ↑ 124%
Home Value
$76,800 ↓ 55%
$1,044/mo ↑ 20%
Owner Costs
$868/mo ↓ 17%
678,147
Population
636,644

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.38%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
31.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Detroit, MI, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 53 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $19,159/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $76,800 in Detroit.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Michigan's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Detroit — common questions

Is El Paso or Detroit cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Detroit is cheaper to live in with an index of 53 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Detroit?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Detroit it's $1,034/month — a difference of $7/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Detroit?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $39,575 in Detroit. Median household income is $19,159/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Michigan?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Michigan has 4.25% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.38% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Detroit?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Detroit has a cost index of 53 with rent of $1,034/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Detroit details →

More Comparisons

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