Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Huntsville, AL (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Huntsville

Alabama
78

El Paso is 14% cheaper than Huntsville.

$1,041/mo ↓ 3%
Median Rent
$1,078/mo ↑ 4%
$58,734/yr ↓ 17%
Median Income
$70,778/yr ↑ 21%
$171,700 ↓ 35%
Home Value
$263,100 ↑ 53%
$1,044/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,046/mo ≈ Same
678,147
Population
218,814

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Huntsville, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 78 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $12,044/year higher in Huntsville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $263,100 in Huntsville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Huntsville — common questions

Is El Paso or Huntsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 78 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Huntsville?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Huntsville it's $1,078/month — a difference of $37/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Huntsville?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $70,778 in Huntsville. Median household income is $12,044/year higher in Huntsville.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Alabama?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Huntsville?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Huntsville has a cost index of 78 with rent of $1,078/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Huntsville details →

More Comparisons

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