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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Surprise

Arizona
126

El Paso is 47% cheaper than Surprise.

$1,041/mo ↓ 46%
Median Rent
$1,917/mo ↑ 84%
$58,734/yr ↓ 37%
Median Income
$93,371/yr ↑ 59%
$171,700 ↓ 57%
Home Value
$396,000 ↑ 131%
$1,044/mo ↓ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,587/mo ↑ 52%
678,147
Population
149,519

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
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Surprise, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $876/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $10,512/year.

Median household income is $34,637/year higher in Surprise. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $396,000 in Surprise.

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 Surprise — common questions

Is El Paso or Surprise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Surprise?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Surprise it's $1,917/month — a difference of $876/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Surprise?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $93,371 in Surprise. Median household income is $34,637/year higher in Surprise.
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 Surprise?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Surprise has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,917/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Surprise details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Surprise

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 Surprise vs. Joliet Surprise vs. Naperville Surprise vs. Jackson Surprise vs. Pasadena Surprise vs. Escondido Surprise vs. Mesquite