Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Rochester, NY (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Rochester

New York
61

El Paso is 10% more expensive than Rochester.

$1,041/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,039/mo ≈ Same
$58,734/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$46,628/yr ↓ 21%
$171,700 ↑ 42%
Home Value
$120,600 ↓ 30%
$1,044/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,009/mo ↓ 3%
678,147
Population
209,720

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.9%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Rochester, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $12,106/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $120,600 in Rochester.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over New York's 10.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Rochester — common questions

Is El Paso or Rochester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rochester is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Rochester?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Rochester it's $1,039/month — a difference of $2/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Rochester?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $46,628 in Rochester. Median household income is $12,106/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and New York?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Rochester?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Rochester has a cost index of 61 with rent of $1,039/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Rochester details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Rochester

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 Rochester vs. Frisco Rochester vs. Fayetteville Rochester vs. Moreno Valley Rochester vs. Yonkers Rochester vs. Fontana Rochester vs. Cape Coral