Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Lancaster, CA (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Lancaster

California
124

El Paso is 46% cheaper than Lancaster.

$1,041/mo ↓ 39%
Median Rent
$1,696/mo ↑ 63%
$58,734/yr ↓ 23%
Median Income
$76,083/yr ↑ 30%
$171,700 ↓ 58%
Home Value
$409,100 ↑ 138%
$1,044/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,746/mo ↑ 67%
678,147
Population
170,013

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Lancaster, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 124 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $655/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $7,860/year.

Median household income is $17,349/year higher in Lancaster. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $409,100 in Lancaster.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Lancaster — common questions

Is El Paso or Lancaster cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 124 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Lancaster?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Lancaster it's $1,696/month — a difference of $655/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Lancaster?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $76,083 in Lancaster. Median household income is $17,349/year higher in Lancaster.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Lancaster?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Lancaster has a cost index of 124 with rent of $1,696/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Lancaster details →

More Comparisons

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