El Paso vs Denver
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 44% less expensive than Denver. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Colorado's 4.55%.

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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

Denver, CO

COL index118
State income tax4.55%
Avg 1BR rent$1,800/mo
Median home price$545K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryEl Paso indexDenver indexDifference
Housing106 ✓154+48%
Groceries78 ✓112+34%
Transportation80 ✓112+32%
Healthcare80 ✓114+34%
Utilities82 ✓110+28%

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

Salary equivalency: El Paso → Denver

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

Salary in El PasoEquivalent in DenverDifference
$60,000$92,000+$32,000
$80,000$123,000+$43,000
$100,000$154,000+$54,000
$130,000$200,000+$70,000
$150,000$231,000+$81,000
$200,000$308,000+$108,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between El Paso, TX and Denver, CO, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 118 for Denver — a difference of approximately 44%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso workers an immediate 4.55% take-home pay advantage over Denver workers who pay Colorado's 4.55% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in El Paso is $190,000, compared to $545,000 in Denver. Average 1-bedroom rent is $850/month in El Paso versus $1,800/month in Denver.

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