Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs St. Paul, MN (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

St. Paul

Minnesota
91

El Paso is 26% cheaper than St. Paul.

$1,041/mo ↓ 17%
Median Rent
$1,248/mo ↑ 20%
$58,734/yr ↓ 20%
Median Income
$73,055/yr ↑ 24%
$171,700 ↓ 39%
Home Value
$280,300 ↑ 63%
$1,044/mo ↓ 25%
Owner Costs
$1,390/mo ↑ 33%
678,147
Population
307,762

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.85%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.875%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.11%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and St. Paul, MN, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $207/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $2,484/year.

Median household income is $14,321/year higher in St. Paul. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $280,300 in St. Paul.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Minnesota's 9.85% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs St. Paul — common questions

Is El Paso or St. Paul cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and St. Paul?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in St. Paul it's $1,248/month — a difference of $207/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or St. Paul?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $73,055 in St. Paul. Median household income is $14,321/year higher in St. Paul.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Minnesota?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or St. Paul?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,248/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View St. Paul details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and St. Paul

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