Boston vs El Paso
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 49% more affordable than Boston. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Massachusetts's 5%.

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At a glance

Boston, MA

COL index162
State income tax5%
Avg 1BR rent$2,900/mo
Median home price$720K
VS

El Paso, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryBoston indexEl Paso indexDifference
Housing214106 ✓-108%
Groceries15278 ✓-74%
Transportation15180 ✓-71%
Healthcare15680 ✓-76%
Utilities14482 ✓-62%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost. How we calculate this →

Salary equivalency: Boston → El Paso

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

Salary in BostonEquivalent in El PasoDifference
$60,000$28,000$-32,000
$80,000$38,000$-42,000
$100,000$47,000$-53,000
$130,000$61,000$-69,000
$150,000$71,000$-79,000
$200,000$94,000$-106,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Boston, MA and El Paso, TX, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 162 for Boston — a difference of approximately 49%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso workers an immediate 5% take-home pay advantage over Boston workers who pay Massachusetts's 5% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Boston is $720,000, compared to $190,000 in El Paso. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,900/month in Boston versus $850/month in El Paso.

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