El Paso vs Los Angeles
Cost of Living (2026)
El Paso is 99% less expensive than Los Angeles. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.
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
Los Angeles, CA
COL index163
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$2,600/mo
Median home price$850K
Cost breakdown by category
Salary equivalency: El Paso → Los Angeles
What salary in Los Angeles gives you the same purchasing power as your El Paso salary?
El Paso vs Los Angeles: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
When comparing the cost of living between El Paso, TX and Los Angeles, CA, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 163 for Los Angeles — a difference of approximately 99%.
State income tax impact
Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso workers an immediate 9.3% take-home pay advantage over Los Angeles workers who pay California's 9.3% state income tax.
Housing costs
The median home price in El Paso is $190,000, compared to $850,000 in Los Angeles. Average 1-bedroom rent is $850/month in El Paso versus $2,600/month in Los Angeles.