Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Thornton, CO (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Thornton

Colorado
138

El Paso is 51% cheaper than Thornton.

$1,041/mo ↓ 42%
Median Rent
$1,810/mo ↑ 74%
$58,734/yr ↓ 42%
Median Income
$100,985/yr ↑ 72%
$171,700 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$482,200 ↑ 181%
$1,044/mo ↓ 45%
Owner Costs
$1,914/mo ↑ 83%
678,147
Population
142,878

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
2.9%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.51%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Thornton, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 138 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $769/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $9,228/year.

Median household income is $42,251/year higher in Thornton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $482,200 in Thornton.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Colorado's 4.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Thornton — common questions

Is El Paso or Thornton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Thornton?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Thornton it's $1,810/month — a difference of $769/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Thornton?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $100,985 in Thornton. Median household income is $42,251/year higher in Thornton.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Colorado?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Thornton?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Thornton has a cost index of 138 with rent of $1,810/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Thornton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Thornton

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 Thornton vs. Torrance Thornton vs. Visalia Thornton vs. Gainesville Thornton vs. Waco Thornton vs. Olathe Thornton vs. Fullerton