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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Stockton

California
115

El Paso is 42% cheaper than Stockton.

$1,041/mo ↓ 30%
Median Rent
$1,495/mo ↑ 44%
$58,734/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$76,851/yr ↑ 31%
$171,700 ↓ 58%
Home Value
$412,900 ↑ 140%
$1,044/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,555/mo ↑ 49%
678,147
Population
320,470

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
23.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Stockton, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 115 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $454/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $5,448/year.

Median household income is $18,117/year higher in Stockton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $412,900 in Stockton.

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 Stockton — common questions

Is El Paso or Stockton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 115 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Stockton?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Stockton it's $1,495/month — a difference of $454/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Stockton?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $76,851 in Stockton. Median household income is $18,117/year higher in Stockton.
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 Stockton?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Stockton has a cost index of 115 with rent of $1,495/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Stockton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Stockton

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