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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Long Beach

California
169

El Paso is 60% cheaper than Long Beach.

$1,041/mo ↓ 42%
Median Rent
$1,803/mo ↑ 73%
$58,734/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$83,969/yr ↑ 43%
$171,700 ↓ 77%
Home Value
$762,200 ↑ 344%
$1,044/mo ↓ 45%
Owner Costs
$1,890/mo ↑ 81%
678,147
Population
458,491

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
25.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Long Beach, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 169 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $762/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $9,144/year.

Median household income is $25,235/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $762,200 in Long Beach.

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 Long Beach — common questions

Is El Paso or Long Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Long Beach?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Long Beach it's $1,803/month — a difference of $762/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Long Beach?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $83,969 in Long Beach. Median household income is $25,235/year higher in Long Beach.
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 Long Beach?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with rent of $1,803/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Long Beach details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Long Beach

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