El Paso vs Phoenix
Cost of Living (2026)
El Paso is 22% less expensive than Phoenix. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Arizona's 2.5%.
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
Phoenix, AZ
COL index100
State income tax2.5%
Avg 1BR rent$1,450/mo
Median home price$395K
Cost breakdown by category
Salary equivalency: El Paso → Phoenix
What salary in Phoenix gives you the same purchasing power as your El Paso salary?
El Paso vs Phoenix: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
When comparing the cost of living between El Paso, TX and Phoenix, AZ, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 100 for Phoenix — a difference of approximately 22%.
State income tax impact
Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso workers an immediate 2.5% take-home pay advantage over Phoenix workers who pay Arizona's 2.5% state income tax.
Housing costs
The median home price in El Paso is $190,000, compared to $395,000 in Phoenix. Average 1-bedroom rent is $850/month in El Paso versus $1,450/month in Phoenix.