Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Hayward, CA (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Hayward

California
200

El Paso is 66% cheaper than Hayward.

$1,041/mo ↓ 56%
Median Rent
$2,360/mo ↑ 127%
$58,734/yr ↓ 48%
Median Income
$113,775/yr ↑ 94%
$171,700 ↓ 79%
Home Value
$820,700 ↑ 378%
$1,044/mo ↓ 57%
Owner Costs
$2,420/mo ↑ 132%
678,147
Population
159,201

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Hayward, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,319/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $15,828/year.

Median household income is $55,041/year higher in Hayward. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $820,700 in Hayward.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Hayward — common questions

Is El Paso or Hayward cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Hayward?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Hayward it's $2,360/month — a difference of $1,319/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Hayward?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $113,775 in Hayward. Median household income is $55,041/year higher in Hayward.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Hayward?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Hayward has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,360/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Hayward details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Hayward

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