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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Sacramento

California
132

El Paso is 49% cheaper than Sacramento.

$1,041/mo ↓ 39%
Median Rent
$1,694/mo ↑ 63%
$58,734/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$83,753/yr ↑ 43%
$171,700 ↓ 65%
Home Value
$484,600 ↑ 182%
$1,044/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,752/mo ↑ 68%
678,147
Population
524,802

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
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Sacramento, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $653/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $7,836/year.

Median household income is $25,019/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $484,600 in Sacramento.

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 Sacramento — common questions

Is El Paso or Sacramento cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Sacramento?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Sacramento it's $1,694/month — a difference of $653/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Sacramento?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $83,753 in Sacramento. Median household income is $25,019/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,694/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Sacramento details →

More Comparisons

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