Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Fort Collins, CO (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Fort Collins

Colorado
137

El Paso is 51% cheaper than Fort Collins.

$1,041/mo ↓ 37%
Median Rent
$1,661/mo ↑ 60%
$58,734/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$83,598/yr ↑ 42%
$171,700 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$548,400 ↑ 219%
$1,044/mo ↓ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,692/mo ↑ 62%
678,147
Population
169,705

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
2.9%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.51%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Fort Collins, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $620/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $7,440/year.

Median household income is $24,864/year higher in Fort Collins. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $548,400 in Fort Collins.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Colorado's 4.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Fort Collins — common questions

Is El Paso or Fort Collins cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 137 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Fort Collins?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Fort Collins it's $1,661/month — a difference of $620/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Fort Collins?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $83,598 in Fort Collins. Median household income is $24,864/year higher in Fort Collins.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Colorado?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Fort Collins?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Fort Collins has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,661/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Fort Collins details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Fort Collins

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 Fort Collins vs. Lancaster Fort Collins vs. Springfield Fort Collins vs. Pembroke Pines Fort Collins vs. Palmdale Fort Collins vs. Garden Grove Fort Collins vs. Salinas