Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Jackson, MS (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Jackson

Mississippi
58

El Paso is 16% more expensive than Jackson.

$1,041/mo ↑ 2%
Median Rent
$1,018/mo ↓ 2%
$58,734/yr ↑ 36%
Median Income
$43,238/yr ↓ 26%
$171,700 ↑ 59%
Home Value
$108,200 ↓ 37%
$1,044/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$956/mo ↓ 8%
678,147
Population
149,827

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Jackson, MS, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $15,496/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $108,200 in Jackson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Jackson — common questions

Is El Paso or Jackson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Jackson is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Jackson?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Jackson it's $1,018/month — a difference of $23/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Jackson?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $43,238 in Jackson. Median household income is $15,496/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Mississippi?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Mississippi has 5.0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Jackson?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Jackson has a cost index of 58 with rent of $1,018/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Jackson details →

More Comparisons

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