Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Durham, NC (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Durham

North Carolina
105

El Paso is 36% cheaper than Durham.

$1,041/mo ↓ 26%
Median Rent
$1,412/mo ↑ 36%
$58,734/yr ↓ 26%
Median Income
$79,234/yr ↑ 35%
$171,700 ↓ 52%
Home Value
$355,300 ↑ 107%
$1,044/mo ↓ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,434/mo ↑ 37%
678,147
Population
288,465

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Durham, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $371/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $4,452/year.

Median household income is $20,500/year higher in Durham. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $355,300 in Durham.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Durham — common questions

Is El Paso or Durham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Durham?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Durham it's $1,412/month — a difference of $371/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Durham?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $79,234 in Durham. Median household income is $20,500/year higher in Durham.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Durham?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Durham has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,412/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Durham details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Durham

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 Durham vs. Anchorage Durham vs. Plano Durham vs. Jersey City Durham vs. Chandler Durham vs. Lincoln Durham vs. Buffalo