Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Scottsdale, AZ (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Scottsdale

Arizona
165

El Paso is 59% cheaper than Scottsdale.

$1,041/mo ↓ 45%
Median Rent
$1,910/mo ↑ 83%
$58,734/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$107,372/yr ↑ 83%
$171,700 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$709,900 ↑ 313%
$1,044/mo ↓ 43%
Owner Costs
$1,824/mo ↑ 75%
678,147
Population
242,169

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Scottsdale, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 165 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $869/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $10,428/year.

Median household income is $48,638/year higher in Scottsdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $709,900 in Scottsdale.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Scottsdale — common questions

Is El Paso or Scottsdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 165 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Scottsdale?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Scottsdale it's $1,910/month — a difference of $869/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Scottsdale?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $107,372 in Scottsdale. Median household income is $48,638/year higher in Scottsdale.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Arizona?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Scottsdale?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Scottsdale has a cost index of 165 with rent of $1,910/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Scottsdale details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Scottsdale

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