Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Providence, RI (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Providence

Rhode Island
99

El Paso is 32% cheaper than Providence.

$1,041/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,333/mo ↑ 28%
$58,734/yr ↓ 12%
Median Income
$66,772/yr ↑ 14%
$171,700 ↓ 47%
Home Value
$322,800 ↑ 88%
$1,044/mo ↓ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,467/mo ↑ 41%
678,147
Population
190,214

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.99%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Providence, RI, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 99 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $292/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $3,504/year.

Median household income is $8,038/year higher in Providence. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $322,800 in Providence.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Rhode Island's 5.99% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Providence — common questions

Is El Paso or Providence cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 99 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Providence?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Providence it's $1,333/month — a difference of $292/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Providence?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $66,772 in Providence. Median household income is $8,038/year higher in Providence.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Rhode Island?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Rhode Island has 5.99% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Providence?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Providence has a cost index of 99 with rent of $1,333/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Providence details →

More Comparisons

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