Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Raleigh, NC (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Raleigh

North Carolina
110

El Paso is 39% cheaper than Raleigh.

$1,041/mo ↓ 29%
Median Rent
$1,468/mo ↑ 41%
$58,734/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$82,424/yr ↑ 40%
$171,700 ↓ 55%
Home Value
$377,800 ↑ 120%
$1,044/mo ↓ 30%
Owner Costs
$1,487/mo ↑ 42%
678,147
Population
470,763

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Raleigh, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 110 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $427/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $5,124/year.

Median household income is $23,690/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $377,800 in Raleigh.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Raleigh — common questions

Is El Paso or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Raleigh?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Raleigh it's $1,468/month — a difference of $427/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Raleigh?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $82,424 in Raleigh. Median household income is $23,690/year higher in Raleigh.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Raleigh?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with rent of $1,468/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Raleigh details →

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