Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Knoxville, TN (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Knoxville

Tennessee
74

El Paso is 9% cheaper than Knoxville.

$1,041/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,116/mo ↑ 7%
$58,734/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$50,994/yr ↓ 13%
$171,700 ↓ 20%
Home Value
$214,000 ↑ 25%
$1,044/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,075/mo ↑ 3%
678,147
Population
193,721

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Knoxville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $75/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $900/year.

Median household income is $7,740/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $214,000 in Knoxville.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Knoxville — common questions

Is El Paso or Knoxville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Knoxville?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Knoxville it's $1,116/month — a difference of $75/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Knoxville?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $50,994 in Knoxville. Median household income is $7,740/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Tennessee?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Knoxville?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,116/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Knoxville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Knoxville

El Paso vs. Nashville El Paso vs. Washington El Paso vs. Oklahoma City El Paso vs. Boston El Paso vs. Denver El Paso vs. Las Vegas Knoxville vs. Peoria Knoxville vs. Vancouver Knoxville vs. Huntington Beach Knoxville vs. Glendale Knoxville vs. Overland Park Knoxville vs. Providence