Cost of Living: Los Angeles, CA vs El Paso, TX (2026)

Los Angeles

California
187
VS

El Paso

Texas
67

Los Angeles is 179% more expensive than El Paso.

$1,879/mo ↑ 80%
Median Rent
$1,041/mo ↓ 45%
$80,366/yr ↑ 37%
Median Income
$58,734/yr ↓ 27%
$879,500 ↑ 412%
Home Value
$171,700 ↓ 80%
$2,055/mo ↑ 97%
Owner Costs
$1,044/mo ↓ 49%
3,857,897
Population
678,147

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

28.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Los Angeles, CA and El Paso, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 187 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $838/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $10,056/year.

Median household income is $21,632/year higher in Los Angeles. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Los Angeles is $879,500 compared to $171,700 in El Paso.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles vs El Paso — common questions

Is Los Angeles 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 187 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and El Paso?
Median rent in Los Angeles is $1,879/month and in El Paso it's $1,041/month — a difference of $838/month.
Which city has higher income, Los Angeles or El Paso?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles and $58,734 in El Paso. Median household income is $21,632/year higher in Los Angeles.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Los Angeles or El Paso?
It depends on your priorities. Los Angeles has a cost index of 187 with median rent of $1,879/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.
View Los Angeles details → View El Paso details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Los Angeles and El Paso

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