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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

San Bernardino

California
109

El Paso is 39% cheaper than San Bernardino.

$1,041/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$1,433/mo ↑ 38%
$58,734/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$63,988/yr ↑ 9%
$171,700 ↓ 55%
Home Value
$384,900 ↑ 124%
$1,044/mo ↓ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,478/mo ↑ 42%
678,147
Population
221,774

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
26.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and San Bernardino, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 109 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $392/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $4,704/year.

Median household income is $5,254/year higher in San Bernardino. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $384,900 in San Bernardino.

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 San Bernardino — common questions

Is El Paso or San Bernardino cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 109 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and San Bernardino?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in San Bernardino it's $1,433/month — a difference of $392/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or San Bernardino?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $63,988 in San Bernardino. Median household income is $5,254/year higher in San Bernardino.
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 San Bernardino?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while San Bernardino has a cost index of 109 with rent of $1,433/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View San Bernardino details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and San Bernardino

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 San Bernardino vs. Hialeah San Bernardino vs. Tacoma San Bernardino vs. Baton Rouge San Bernardino vs. Port St. Lucie San Bernardino vs. Richmond San Bernardino vs. Spring Valley