Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Lincoln, NE (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Lincoln

Nebraska
77

El Paso is 13% cheaper than Lincoln.

$1,041/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,045/mo ≈ Same
$58,734/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$69,991/yr ↑ 19%
$171,700 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$248,200 ↑ 45%
$1,044/mo ↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,140/mo ↑ 9%
678,147
Population
291,932

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.64%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.5%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.73%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Lincoln, NE, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $11,257/year higher in Lincoln. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $248,200 in Lincoln.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Nebraska's 6.64% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Lincoln — common questions

Is El Paso or Lincoln cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 77 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Lincoln?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Lincoln it's $1,045/month — a difference of $4/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Lincoln?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $69,991 in Lincoln. Median household income is $11,257/year higher in Lincoln.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Nebraska?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Nebraska has 6.64% income tax, 5.5% sales tax, and 1.73% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Lincoln?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Lincoln has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,045/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Lincoln details →

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