Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Riverside, CA (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Riverside

California
144

El Paso is 53% cheaper than Riverside.

$1,041/mo ↓ 43%
Median Rent
$1,812/mo ↑ 74%
$58,734/yr ↓ 34%
Median Income
$88,575/yr ↑ 51%
$171,700 ↓ 68%
Home Value
$542,100 ↑ 216%
$1,044/mo ↓ 44%
Owner Costs
$1,880/mo ↑ 80%
678,147
Population
316,241

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Riverside, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 144 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $771/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $9,252/year.

Median household income is $29,841/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $542,100 in Riverside.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Riverside — common questions

Is El Paso or Riverside cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Riverside?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Riverside it's $1,812/month — a difference of $771/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Riverside?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $88,575 in Riverside. Median household income is $29,841/year higher in Riverside.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Riverside?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Riverside has a cost index of 144 with rent of $1,812/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Riverside details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Riverside

El Paso vs. Nashville El Paso vs. Washington El Paso vs. Oklahoma City El Paso vs. Boston El Paso vs. Denver El Paso vs. Las Vegas Riverside vs. Corpus Christi Riverside vs. Orlando Riverside vs. Stockton Riverside vs. Santa Ana Riverside vs. Lexington Riverside vs. Cincinnati