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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Pasadena

California
220

El Paso is 70% cheaper than Pasadena.

$1,041/mo ↓ 53%
Median Rent
$2,218/mo ↑ 113%
$58,734/yr ↓ 43%
Median Income
$103,778/yr ↑ 77%
$171,700 ↓ 84%
Home Value
$1,045,000 ↑ 509%
$1,044/mo ↓ 55%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 124%
678,147
Population
136,462

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Pasadena, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 220 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,177/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $14,124/year.

Median household income is $45,044/year higher in Pasadena. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $1,045,000 in Pasadena.

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 Pasadena — common questions

Is El Paso or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 220 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Pasadena?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Pasadena it's $2,218/month — a difference of $1,177/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Pasadena?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $103,778 in Pasadena. Median household income is $45,044/year higher in Pasadena.
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 Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 220 with rent of $2,218/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Pasadena details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Pasadena

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