Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Lakeland, FL (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Lakeland

Florida
82

El Paso is 18% cheaper than Lakeland.

$1,041/mo ↓ 20%
Median Rent
$1,299/mo ↑ 25%
$58,734/yr ↓ 4%
Median Income
$60,947/yr ↑ 4%
$171,700 ↓ 25%
Home Value
$229,100 ↑ 33%
$1,044/mo ↓ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,149/mo ↑ 10%
678,147
Population
117,030

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Lakeland, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $258/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $3,096/year.

Median household income is $2,213/year higher in Lakeland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $229,100 in Lakeland.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Lakeland — common questions

Is El Paso or Lakeland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Lakeland?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Lakeland it's $1,299/month — a difference of $258/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Lakeland?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $60,947 in Lakeland. Median household income is $2,213/year higher in Lakeland.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Lakeland?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Lakeland has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,299/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Lakeland details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Lakeland

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