Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Madison, WI (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

El Paso is 35% cheaper than Madison.

$1,041/mo ↓ 24%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↑ 31%
$58,734/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↑ 31%
$171,700 ↓ 51%
Home Value
$346,900 ↑ 102%
$1,044/mo ↓ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ↑ 41%
678,147
Population
275,568

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
7.65%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $323/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $3,876/year.

Median household income is $18,249/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Wisconsin's 7.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Madison — common questions

Is El Paso or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 103 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Madison?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $323/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Madison?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $18,249/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Wisconsin?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Madison has a cost index of 103 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Madison details →

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