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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Simi Valley

California
200

El Paso is 66% cheaper than Simi Valley.

$1,041/mo ↓ 59%
Median Rent
$2,513/mo ↑ 141%
$58,734/yr ↓ 50%
Median Income
$117,703/yr ↑ 100%
$171,700 ↓ 77%
Home Value
$753,500 ↑ 339%
$1,044/mo ↓ 59%
Owner Costs
$2,576/mo ↑ 147%
678,147
Population
125,769

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Simi Valley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,472/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $17,664/year.

Median household income is $58,969/year higher in Simi Valley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $753,500 in Simi Valley.

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 Simi Valley — common questions

Is El Paso or Simi Valley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Simi Valley?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Simi Valley it's $2,513/month — a difference of $1,472/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Simi Valley?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $117,703 in Simi Valley. Median household income is $58,969/year higher in Simi Valley.
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 Simi Valley?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Simi Valley has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,513/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Simi Valley details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Simi Valley

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