Fort Worth vs El Paso
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 12% more affordable than Fort Worth.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Fort Worth, TX

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

El Paso, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryFort Worth indexEl Paso indexDifference
Housing121106 ✓-15%
Groceries8978 ✓-11%
Transportation9080 ✓-10%
Healthcare9080 ✓-10%
Utilities9182 ✓-9%

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

Salary equivalency: Fort Worth → El Paso

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

Salary in Fort WorthEquivalent in El PasoDifference
$60,000$53,000$-7,000
$80,000$71,000$-9,000
$100,000$88,000$-12,000
$130,000$115,000$-15,000
$150,000$132,000$-18,000
$200,000$176,000$-24,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Fort Worth, TX and El Paso, TX, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 93 for Fort Worth — a difference of approximately 12%.

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

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