Houston vs El Paso
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 10% more affordable than Houston.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Houston, TX

COL index91
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo
Median home price$290K
VS

El Paso, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexEl Paso indexDifference
Housing118106 ✓-12%
Groceries8778 ✓-9%
Transportation8880 ✓-8%
Healthcare8880 ✓-8%
Utilities8982 ✓-7%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → El Paso

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in El PasoDifference
$60,000$54,000$-6,000
$80,000$72,000$-8,000
$100,000$90,000$-10,000
$130,000$117,000$-13,000
$150,000$135,000$-15,000
$200,000$180,000$-20,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and El Paso, TX, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 91 for Houston — a difference of approximately 10%.

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 Houston is $290,000, compared to $190,000 in El Paso. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $850/month in El Paso.

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