Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Lowell, MA (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Lowell

Massachusetts
119

El Paso is 44% cheaper than Lowell.

$1,041/mo ↓ 35%
Median Rent
$1,603/mo ↑ 54%
$58,734/yr ↓ 23%
Median Income
$76,205/yr ↑ 30%
$171,700 ↓ 57%
Home Value
$395,100 ↑ 130%
$1,044/mo ↓ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,672/mo ↑ 60%
678,147
Population
114,799

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Lowell, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $562/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $6,744/year.

Median household income is $17,471/year higher in Lowell. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $395,100 in Lowell.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Lowell — common questions

Is El Paso or Lowell cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 119 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Lowell?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Lowell it's $1,603/month — a difference of $562/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Lowell?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $76,205 in Lowell. Median household income is $17,471/year higher in Lowell.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Massachusetts?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Lowell?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Lowell has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,603/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Lowell details →

More Comparisons

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