Dallas vs El Paso
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 15% more affordable than Dallas.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Dallas, TX

COL index96
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,380/mo
Median home price$340K
VS

El Paso, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryDallas indexEl Paso indexDifference
Housing125106 ✓-19%
Groceries9178 ✓-13%
Transportation9280 ✓-12%
Healthcare9380 ✓-13%
Utilities9382 ✓-11%

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

Salary equivalency: Dallas → El Paso

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

Salary in DallasEquivalent in El PasoDifference
$60,000$51,000$-9,000
$80,000$68,000$-12,000
$100,000$85,000$-15,000
$130,000$111,000$-19,000
$150,000$128,000$-22,000
$200,000$171,000$-29,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Dallas, TX and El Paso, TX, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 96 for Dallas — a difference of approximately 15%.

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 Dallas is $340,000, compared to $190,000 in El Paso. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,380/month in Dallas versus $850/month in El Paso.

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