Austin vs El Paso
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 25% more affordable than Austin.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$520K
VS

El Paso, TX

COL index82 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$850/mo ✓
Median home price$190K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexEl Paso indexDifference
Housing144106 ✓-38%
Groceries10478 ✓-26%
Transportation10580 ✓-25%
Healthcare10780 ✓-27%
Utilities10482 ✓-22%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Austin → El Paso

What salary in El Paso gives you the same purchasing power as your Austin salary?

Salary in AustinEquivalent in El PasoDifference
$60,000$45,000$-15,000
$80,000$60,000$-20,000
$100,000$75,000$-25,000
$130,000$97,000$-33,000
$150,000$112,000$-38,000
$200,000$149,000$-51,000

Austin vs El Paso: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and El Paso, TX, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 25%.

State income tax impact

Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $190,000 in El Paso. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $850/month in El Paso.

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