Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Kansas City, KS (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Kansas City

Kansas City
65

El Paso and Kansas City have a similar cost of living.

$1,041/mo ↓ 3%
Median Rent
$1,073/mo ↑ 3%
$58,734/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$59,183/yr ≈ Same
$171,700 ↑ 17%
Home Value
$147,100 ↓ 14%
$1,044/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,054/mo ≈ Same
678,147
Population
154,776

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Kansas City, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $449/year higher in Kansas City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $147,100 in Kansas City.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Kansas City's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Kansas City — common questions

Is El Paso or Kansas City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Kansas City is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Kansas City?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Kansas City it's $1,073/month — a difference of $32/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Kansas City?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $59,183 in Kansas City. Median household income is $449/year higher in Kansas City.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Kansas?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Kansas City?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Kansas City has a cost index of 65 with rent of $1,073/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Kansas City details →

More Comparisons

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