Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Pittsburgh, PA (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania
76

El Paso is 12% cheaper than Pittsburgh.

$1,041/mo ↓ 15%
Median Rent
$1,221/mo ↑ 17%
$58,734/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$64,137/yr ↑ 9%
$171,700 ↓ 11%
Home Value
$193,200 ↑ 13%
$1,044/mo ↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,136/mo ↑ 9%
678,147
Population
303,620

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.07%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.49%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Pittsburgh, PA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $180/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $2,160/year.

Median household income is $5,403/year higher in Pittsburgh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $193,200 in Pittsburgh.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Pennsylvania's 3.07% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Pittsburgh — common questions

Is El Paso or Pittsburgh cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 76 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Pittsburgh?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Pittsburgh it's $1,221/month — a difference of $180/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Pittsburgh?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $64,137 in Pittsburgh. Median household income is $5,403/year higher in Pittsburgh.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Pennsylvania?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Pennsylvania has 3.07% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.49% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Pittsburgh?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Pittsburgh has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,221/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Pittsburgh details →

More Comparisons

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