Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs The Woodlands, TX (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

El Paso is 52% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$1,041/mo ↓ 42%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 72%
$58,734/yr ↓ 58%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 141%
$171,700 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$479,400 ↑ 179%
$1,044/mo ↓ 48%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 92%
678,147
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $751/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $9,012/year.

Median household income is $82,619/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is El Paso or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and The Woodlands?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $751/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $82,619/year higher in The Woodlands.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Texas?
Both cities are in Texas and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and The Woodlands

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 The Woodlands vs. Lakeland The Woodlands vs. Evansville The Woodlands vs. Clearwater The Woodlands vs. Brandon The Woodlands vs. North Charleston The Woodlands vs. West Jordan