El Paso vs Chicago
Cost of Living (2026)
El Paso is 30% less expensive than Chicago. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Illinois's 4.95%.
Enter your salary → get exact comparisonAt a glance
El Paso, TX
COL index82 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$850/mo ✓
Median home price$190K ✓
VS
Chicago, IL
COL index107
State income tax4.95%
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$330K
Cost breakdown by category
Salary equivalency: El Paso → Chicago
What salary in Chicago gives you the same purchasing power as your El Paso salary?
El Paso vs Chicago: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
When comparing the cost of living between El Paso, TX and Chicago, IL, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 107 for Chicago — a difference of approximately 30%.
State income tax impact
Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso workers an immediate 4.95% take-home pay advantage over Chicago workers who pay Illinois's 4.95% state income tax.
Housing costs
The median home price in El Paso is $190,000, compared to $330,000 in Chicago. Average 1-bedroom rent is $850/month in El Paso versus $1,650/month in Chicago.