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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Murrieta

California
175

El Paso is 62% cheaper than Murrieta.

$1,041/mo ↓ 55%
Median Rent
$2,330/mo ↑ 124%
$58,734/yr ↓ 46%
Median Income
$109,780/yr ↑ 87%
$171,700 ↓ 72%
Home Value
$606,900 ↑ 253%
$1,044/mo ↓ 56%
Owner Costs
$2,380/mo ↑ 128%
678,147
Population
111,621

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
25.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Murrieta, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,289/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $15,468/year.

Median household income is $51,046/year higher in Murrieta. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $606,900 in Murrieta.

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 Murrieta — common questions

Is El Paso or Murrieta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Murrieta?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Murrieta it's $2,330/month — a difference of $1,289/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Murrieta?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $109,780 in Murrieta. Median household income is $51,046/year higher in Murrieta.
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 Murrieta?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Murrieta has a cost index of 175 with rent of $2,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Murrieta details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Murrieta

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