Cost of Living: San Diego, CA vs El Paso, TX (2026)

San Diego

California
197
VS

El Paso

Texas
67

San Diego is 194% more expensive than El Paso.

$2,223/mo ↑ 114%
Median Rent
$1,041/mo ↓ 53%
$104,321/yr ↑ 78%
Median Income
$58,734/yr ↓ 44%
$848,500 ↑ 394%
Home Value
$171,700 ↓ 80%
$2,308/mo ↑ 121%
Owner Costs
$1,044/mo ↓ 55%
1,385,061
Population
678,147

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and El Paso, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,182/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $14,184/year.

Median household income is $45,587/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 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

San Diego vs El Paso — common questions

Is San Diego 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 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and El Paso?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in El Paso it's $1,041/month — a difference of $1,182/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or El Paso?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $58,734 in El Paso. Median household income is $45,587/year higher in San Diego.
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 San Diego or El Paso?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/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 San Diego details → View El Paso details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Diego and El Paso

San Diego vs. San Antonio San Diego vs. Dallas San Diego vs. Philadelphia San Diego vs. San Jose San Diego vs. Phoenix San Diego vs. Austin 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