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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Kansas City

Missouri
80

El Paso is 16% cheaper than Kansas City.

$1,041/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$1,186/mo ↑ 14%
$58,734/yr ↓ 13%
Median Income
$67,449/yr ↑ 15%
$171,700 ↓ 24%
Home Value
$227,000 ↑ 32%
$1,044/mo ↓ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,205/mo ↑ 15%
678,147
Population
508,233

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.225%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Kansas City, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $145/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $1,740/year.

Median household income is $8,715/year higher in Kansas City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $227,000 in Kansas City.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Missouri's 4.95% 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, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 80 (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 $1,186/month — a difference of $145/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Kansas City?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $67,449 in Kansas City. Median household income is $8,715/year higher in Kansas City.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Missouri?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% 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 80 with rent of $1,186/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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