Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

El Paso is 49% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,041/mo ↓ 41%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 71%
$58,734/yr ↓ 27%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 36%
$171,700 ↓ 62%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 165%
$1,044/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 70%
678,147
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $735/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $8,820/year.

Median household income is $21,201/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is El Paso or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $735/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $21,201/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

More Comparisons

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