El Paso vs Fort Worth
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 13% less expensive than Fort Worth.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

El Paso, TX

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

Fort Worth, TX

COL index93
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,280/mo
Median home price$315K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryEl Paso indexFort Worth indexDifference
Housing106121+15%
Groceries7889+11%
Transportation8090+10%
Healthcare8090+10%
Utilities8291+9%

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

Salary equivalency: El PasoFort Worth

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

Salary in El PasoEquivalent in Fort WorthDifference
$60,000$68,000+$8,000
$80,000$91,000+$11,000
$100,000$113,000+$13,000
$130,000$147,000+$17,000
$150,000$170,000+$20,000
$200,000$227,000+$27,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between El Paso, TX and Fort Worth, TX, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 93 for Fort Worth — a difference of approximately 13%.

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 El Paso is $190,000, compared to $315,000 in Fort Worth. Average 1-bedroom rent is $850/month in El Paso versus $1,280/month in Fort Worth.

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