Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Richmond, VA (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Richmond

Virginia
98

El Paso is 32% cheaper than Richmond.

$1,041/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$1,314/mo ↑ 26%
$58,734/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$62,671/yr ↑ 7%
$171,700 ↓ 48%
Home Value
$328,100 ↑ 91%
$1,044/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,374/mo ↑ 32%
678,147
Population
227,595

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Richmond, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 98 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $273/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $3,276/year.

Median household income is $3,937/year higher in Richmond. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $328,100 in Richmond.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Richmond — common questions

Is El Paso or Richmond cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 98 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Richmond?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Richmond it's $1,314/month — a difference of $273/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Richmond?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $62,671 in Richmond. Median household income is $3,937/year higher in Richmond.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Virginia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Richmond?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Richmond has a cost index of 98 with rent of $1,314/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Richmond details →

More Comparisons

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