Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs New Orleans, LA (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

New Orleans

Louisiana
90

El Paso is 26% cheaper than New Orleans.

$1,041/mo ↓ 14%
Median Rent
$1,211/mo ↑ 16%
$58,734/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$55,339/yr ↓ 6%
$171,700 ↓ 42%
Home Value
$296,400 ↑ 73%
$1,044/mo ↓ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,274/mo ↑ 22%
678,147
Population
376,035

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and New Orleans, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 90 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $170/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $2,040/year.

Median household income is $3,395/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $296,400 in New Orleans.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs New Orleans — common questions

Is El Paso or New Orleans cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 90 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and New Orleans?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in New Orleans it's $1,211/month — a difference of $170/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or New Orleans?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $55,339 in New Orleans. Median household income is $3,395/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Louisiana?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or New Orleans?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while New Orleans has a cost index of 90 with rent of $1,211/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View New Orleans details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and New Orleans

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