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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

El Paso

Texas
67

Houston is 31% more expensive than El Paso.

$1,313/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,041/mo ↓ 21%
$62,894/yr ↑ 7%
Median Income
$58,734/yr ↓ 7%
$253,400 ↑ 48%
Home Value
$171,700 ↓ 32%
$1,316/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,044/mo ↓ 21%
2,300,419
Population
678,147

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and El Paso, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $272/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $3,264/year.

Median household income is $4,160/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $171,700 in El Paso.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs El Paso — common questions

Is Houston or El Paso cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and El Paso?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in El Paso it's $1,041/month — a difference of $272/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or El Paso?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $58,734 in El Paso. Median household income is $4,160/year higher in Houston.
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 Houston or El Paso?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while El Paso has a cost index of 67 with rent of $1,041/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and El Paso

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