Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Wichita, KS (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Wichita

Kansas
65

El Paso and Wichita have a similar cost of living.

$1,041/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$960/mo ↓ 8%
$58,734/yr ↓ 7%
Median Income
$63,072/yr ↑ 7%
$171,700 ↓ 4%
Home Value
$179,500 ↑ 5%
$1,044/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$994/mo ↓ 5%
678,147
Population
396,488

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Wichita, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $81/month cheaper in Wichita, saving renters about $972/year.

Median household income is $4,338/year higher in Wichita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $179,500 in Wichita.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Kansas's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Wichita — common questions

Is El Paso or Wichita cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wichita is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Wichita?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Wichita it's $960/month — a difference of $81/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Wichita?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $63,072 in Wichita. Median household income is $4,338/year higher in Wichita.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Kansas?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Wichita?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Wichita has a cost index of 65 with rent of $960/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Wichita details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Wichita

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 Wichita vs. Bakersfield Wichita vs. Arlington Wichita vs. Tulsa Wichita vs. Tampa Wichita vs. Minneapolis Wichita vs. Aurora