Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Winston-Salem, NC (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
71

El Paso is 6% cheaper than Winston-Salem.

$1,041/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ≈ Same
$58,734/yr ↑ 2%
Median Income
$57,673/yr ↓ 2%
$171,700 ↓ 18%
Home Value
$208,200 ↑ 21%
$1,044/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,040/mo ≈ Same
678,147
Population
250,887

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Winston-Salem, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $1,061/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $208,200 in Winston-Salem.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Winston-Salem — common questions

Is El Paso or Winston-Salem cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 71 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Winston-Salem?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Winston-Salem it's $1,033/month — a difference of $8/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Winston-Salem?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $57,673 in Winston-Salem. Median household income is $1,061/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Winston-Salem?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Winston-Salem has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,033/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Winston-Salem details →

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