Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Lexington, KY (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Lexington

Kentucky
82

El Paso is 18% cheaper than Lexington.

$1,041/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,101/mo ↑ 6%
$58,734/yr ↓ 13%
Median Income
$67,631/yr ↑ 15%
$171,700 ↓ 37%
Home Value
$272,100 ↑ 58%
$1,044/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,160/mo ↑ 11%
678,147
Population
321,122

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Lexington, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $60/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $720/year.

Median household income is $8,897/year higher in Lexington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $272,100 in Lexington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Kentucky's 4.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Lexington — common questions

Is El Paso or Lexington 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 Lexington?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Lexington it's $1,101/month — a difference of $60/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Lexington?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $67,631 in Lexington. Median household income is $8,897/year higher in Lexington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Kentucky?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Lexington?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Lexington has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,101/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Lexington details →

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