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

San Jose

California
254
VS

El Paso

Texas
67

San Jose is 279% more expensive than El Paso.

$2,617/mo ↑ 151%
Median Rent
$1,041/mo ↓ 60%
$141,565/yr ↑ 141%
Median Income
$58,734/yr ↓ 59%
$1,187,800 ↑ 592%
Home Value
$171,700 ↓ 86%
$2,775/mo ↑ 166%
Owner Costs
$1,044/mo ↓ 62%
990,054
Population
678,147

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and El Paso, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,576/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $18,912/year.

Median household income is $82,831/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 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 Jose vs El Paso — common questions

Is San Jose 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 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and El Paso?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in El Paso it's $1,041/month — a difference of $1,576/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or El Paso?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $58,734 in El Paso. Median household income is $82,831/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or El Paso?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View El Paso details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Jose and El Paso

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