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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

El Paso is 8% cheaper than Fayetteville.

$1,041/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↑ 13%
$58,734/yr ↑ 4%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 4%
$171,700 ≈ Same
Home Value
$171,900 ≈ Same
$1,044/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↑ 11%
678,147
Population
209,692

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
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $138/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $1,656/year.

Median household income is $2,339/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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 Fayetteville — common questions

Is El Paso or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Fayetteville?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $138/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $2,339/year higher in El Paso.
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 Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,179/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Fayetteville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Fayetteville

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