El Paso vs Minneapolis
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 29% less expensive than Minneapolis. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Minnesota's 6.8%.

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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

Minneapolis, MN

COL index106
State income tax6.8%
Avg 1BR rent$1,450/mo
Median home price$355K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryEl Paso indexMinneapolis indexDifference
Housing106138+32%
Groceries78101+23%
Transportation80101+21%
Healthcare80103+23%
Utilities82101+19%

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

Salary equivalency: El PasoMinneapolis

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

Salary in El PasoEquivalent in MinneapolisDifference
$60,000$86,000+$26,000
$80,000$114,000+$34,000
$100,000$143,000+$43,000
$130,000$186,000+$56,000
$150,000$215,000+$65,000
$200,000$286,000+$86,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between El Paso, TX and Minneapolis, MN, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 106 for Minneapolis — a difference of approximately 29%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso workers an immediate 6.8% take-home pay advantage over Minneapolis workers who pay Minnesota's 6.8% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in El Paso is $190,000, compared to $355,000 in Minneapolis. Average 1-bedroom rent is $850/month in El Paso versus $1,450/month in Minneapolis.

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