Los Angeles vs El Paso
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 50% more affordable than Los Angeles. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.

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At a glance

Los Angeles, CA

COL index163
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$2,600/mo
Median home price$850K
VS

El Paso, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLos Angeles indexEl Paso indexDifference
Housing215106 ✓-109%
Groceries15378 ✓-75%
Transportation15180 ✓-71%
Healthcare15780 ✓-77%
Utilities14582 ✓-63%

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

Salary equivalency: Los Angeles → El Paso

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

Salary in Los AngelesEquivalent in El PasoDifference
$60,000$26,000$-34,000
$80,000$35,000$-45,000
$100,000$44,000$-56,000
$130,000$57,000$-73,000
$150,000$65,000$-85,000
$200,000$87,000$-113,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and El Paso, TX, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 163 for Los Angeles — a difference of approximately 50%.

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 Los Angeles is $850,000, compared to $190,000 in El Paso. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,600/month in Los Angeles versus $850/month in El Paso.

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