Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Salt Lake City, UT (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Salt Lake City

Utah
117

El Paso is 43% cheaper than Salt Lake City.

$1,041/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,343/mo ↑ 29%
$58,734/yr ↓ 22%
Median Income
$74,925/yr ↑ 28%
$171,700 ↓ 65%
Home Value
$495,700 ↑ 189%
$1,044/mo ↓ 25%
Owner Costs
$1,394/mo ↑ 34%
678,147
Population
203,888

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.65%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Salt Lake City, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $302/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $3,624/year.

Median household income is $16,191/year higher in Salt Lake City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $495,700 in Salt Lake City.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Utah's 4.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Salt Lake City — common questions

Is El Paso or Salt Lake City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 117 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Salt Lake City?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Salt Lake City it's $1,343/month — a difference of $302/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $74,925 in Salt Lake City. Median household income is $16,191/year higher in Salt Lake City.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Utah?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Salt Lake City?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Salt Lake City has a cost index of 117 with rent of $1,343/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Salt Lake City details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Salt Lake City

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 Salt Lake City vs. Columbus Salt Lake City vs. Little Rock Salt Lake City vs. Worcester Salt Lake City vs. McKinney Salt Lake City vs. Cape Coral Salt Lake City vs. Augusta