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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Modesto

California
120

El Paso is 44% cheaper than Modesto.

$1,041/mo ↓ 35%
Median Rent
$1,609/mo ↑ 55%
$58,734/yr ↓ 25%
Median Income
$77,899/yr ↑ 33%
$171,700 ↓ 59%
Home Value
$415,600 ↑ 142%
$1,044/mo ↓ 35%
Owner Costs
$1,613/mo ↑ 55%
678,147
Population
218,614

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
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Modesto, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 120 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $568/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $6,816/year.

Median household income is $19,165/year higher in Modesto. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $415,600 in Modesto.

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 Modesto — common questions

Is El Paso or Modesto cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 120 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Modesto?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Modesto it's $1,609/month — a difference of $568/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Modesto?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $77,899 in Modesto. Median household income is $19,165/year higher in Modesto.
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 Modesto?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Modesto has a cost index of 120 with rent of $1,609/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Modesto details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Modesto

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