Is Plano cheaper than El Paso?

El Paso is 22% more expensive than Plano based on the C2ER Cost of Living Index. El Paso has a COL index of 82 vs 105 for Plano.

What salary do I need in El Paso to match $100,000 in Plano?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Plano, you would need approximately $78,000 in El Paso. This accounts for both the cost of living difference and state income tax rates (Plano: no state tax, El Paso: no state tax).

Plano vs El Paso
Cost of Living (2026)

El Paso is 22% more affordable than Plano.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Plano, TX

COL index105

State income taxNone

Avg 1BR rent$1,500/mo

Median home price$430K

El Paso, TX

COL index82 ✓

State income taxNone

Avg 1BR rent$850/mo ✓

Median home price$190K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

Category	Plano index	El Paso index	Difference
Housing	137	106 ✓	-31%
Groceries	100	78 ✓	-22%
Transportation	100	80 ✓	-20%
Healthcare	102	80 ✓	-22%
Utilities	100	82 ✓	-18%

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

Salary equivalency: Plano → El Paso

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

Salary in Plano	Equivalent in El Paso	Difference
$60,000	$47,000	$-13,000
$80,000	$62,000	$-18,000
$100,000	$78,000	$-22,000
$130,000	$102,000	$-28,000
$150,000	$117,000	$-33,000
$200,000	$156,000	$-44,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Plano, TX and El Paso, TX, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 105 for Plano — a difference of approximately 22%.

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 Plano is $430,000, compared to $190,000 in El Paso. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,500/month in Plano versus $850/month in El Paso.

Plano vs Houston →Plano vs San Antonio →Plano vs Dallas →Plano vs Austin →Plano vs Fort Worth →Plano vs Arlington →

Plano vs El PasoCost of Living (2026)