Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Portland, OR (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Portland

Oregon
138

El Paso is 71% cheaper than Portland.

$1,041/mo ↓ 35%
Median Rent
$1,596/mo ↑ 53%
$58,734/yr ↓ 34%
Median Income
$88,792/yr ↑ 51%
$171,700 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$557,600 ↑ 225%
$1,044/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,771/mo ↑ 70%
678,147
Population
642,715

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.9%
6.25%
Sales Tax
0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Portland, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 138 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $555/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $6,660/year.

Median household income is $30,058/year higher in Portland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $557,600 in Portland.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Oregon's 9.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Portland — common questions

Is El Paso or Portland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Portland?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Portland it's $1,596/month — a difference of $555/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Portland?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $88,792 in Portland. Median household income is $30,058/year higher in Portland.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Oregon?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Portland?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Portland has a cost index of 138 with rent of $1,596/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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