El Paso vs Boston
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 98% less expensive than Boston. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Massachusetts's 5%.

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At a glance

El Paso, TX

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

Boston, MA

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryEl Paso indexBoston indexDifference
Housing106 ✓214+108%
Groceries78 ✓152+74%
Transportation80 ✓151+71%
Healthcare80 ✓156+76%
Utilities82 ✓144+62%

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

Salary equivalency: El Paso → Boston

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

Salary in El PasoEquivalent in BostonDifference
$60,000$128,000+$68,000
$80,000$170,000+$90,000
$100,000$213,000+$113,000
$130,000$276,000+$146,000
$150,000$319,000+$169,000
$200,000$425,000+$225,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 162 for Boston — a difference of approximately 98%.

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

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