Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Mobile, AL (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Mobile

Alabama
66

El Paso and Mobile have a similar cost of living.

$1,041/mo ↑ 1%
Median Rent
$1,029/mo ↓ 1%
$58,734/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$51,090/yr ↓ 13%
$171,700 ≈ Same
Home Value
$170,300 ≈ Same
$1,044/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,016/mo ↓ 3%
678,147
Population
185,097

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Mobile, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $7,644/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $170,300 in Mobile.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Mobile — common questions

Is El Paso or Mobile cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Mobile is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Mobile?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Mobile it's $1,029/month — a difference of $12/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Mobile?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $51,090 in Mobile. Median household income is $7,644/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Alabama?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Mobile?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Mobile has a cost index of 66 with rent of $1,029/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Mobile details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Mobile

El Paso vs. Nashville El Paso vs. Washington El Paso vs. Oklahoma City El Paso vs. Boston El Paso vs. Denver El Paso vs. Las Vegas Mobile vs. Paradise Mobile vs. Newport News Mobile vs. Tempe Mobile vs. Shreveport Mobile vs. Brownsville Mobile vs. Fort Lauderdale