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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Orange

California
206

El Paso is 67% cheaper than Orange.

$1,041/mo ↓ 54%
Median Rent
$2,252/mo ↑ 116%
$58,734/yr ↓ 50%
Median Income
$116,945/yr ↑ 99%
$171,700 ↓ 81%
Home Value
$900,700 ↑ 425%
$1,044/mo ↓ 56%
Owner Costs
$2,394/mo ↑ 129%
678,147
Population
138,723

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
23.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Orange, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 206 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,211/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $14,532/year.

Median household income is $58,211/year higher in Orange. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $900,700 in Orange.

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 Orange — common questions

Is El Paso or Orange cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 206 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Orange?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Orange it's $2,252/month — a difference of $1,211/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Orange?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $116,945 in Orange. Median household income is $58,211/year higher in Orange.
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 Orange?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Orange has a cost index of 206 with rent of $2,252/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Orange details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Orange

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