Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Paterson, NJ (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

El Paso is 37% cheaper than Paterson.

$1,041/mo ↓ 29%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↑ 40%
$58,734/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 8%
$171,700 ↓ 49%
Home Value
$335,400 ↑ 95%
$1,044/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↑ 49%
678,147
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
1.6%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $416/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $4,992/year.

Median household income is $4,968/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over New Jersey's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Paterson — common questions

Is El Paso or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Paterson?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $416/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Paterson?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $4,968/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and New Jersey?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Paterson

El Paso vs. Nashville El Paso vs. Washington El Paso vs. Oklahoma City El Paso vs. Boston El Paso vs. Denver El Paso vs. Las Vegas Paterson vs. Corona Paterson vs. Murfreesboro Paterson vs. Hayward Paterson vs. Alexandria Paterson vs. Salinas Paterson vs. Macon