San Francisco vs El Paso
Cost of Living (2026)
El Paso is 63% more affordable than San Francisco. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.
Enter your salary → get exact comparisonAt a glance
San Francisco, CA
COL index224
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$3,600/mo
Median home price$1350K
VS
El Paso, TX
COL index82 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$850/mo ✓
Median home price$190K ✓
Cost breakdown by category
Salary equivalency: San Francisco → El Paso
What salary in El Paso gives you the same purchasing power as your San Francisco salary?
San Francisco vs El Paso: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
When comparing the cost of living between San Francisco, CA and El Paso, TX, El Paso comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 82 versus 224 for San Francisco — a difference of approximately 63%.
State income tax impact
Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso workers an immediate 9.3% take-home pay advantage over San Francisco workers who pay California's 9.3% state income tax.
Housing costs
The median home price in San Francisco is $1,350,000, compared to $190,000 in El Paso. Average 1-bedroom rent is $3,600/month in San Francisco versus $850/month in El Paso.