El Paso vs Austin: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between El Paso, TX and Austin, TX. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
El Paso
Texas
Cost Index89.9
Median Rent$1,073/mo
Median Income$60K
State TaxNone
Affordable
Better value overall
City B
Austin
Texas
Cost Index98.1
Median Rent$1,729/mo
Median Income$94K
State TaxNone
Below Average
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Austin to match your lifestyle in El Paso?
$80,000
El Paso
$80,000
Cost Index: 89.9
Austin
$87,255
Cost Index: 98.1
You need +$7,255 more in Austin to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index+9.1%
El Paso89.9
Austin98.1
Median Rent+61.1%
El Paso$1K
Austin$2K
Median Income+56.8%
El Paso$60K
Austin$94K
Grocery Index~equal
El Paso100.0
Austin100.0
Utilities Index~equal
El Paso100.0
Austin100.0
Transportation~equal
El Paso100.0
Austin100.0
Healthcare~equal
El Paso100.0
Austin100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
El PasoNone
AustinNone
Side-by-Side Chart
El Paso: Pros & Cons
9% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,073/mo vs $1,729/mo
Austin: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($94K)
Lower unemployment (3.2%)
9% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,729/mo vs $1,073/mo
El Paso vs Austin – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between El Paso and Austin.
El Paso has a cost of living index of 89.9, while Austin scores 98.1. Austin is approximately 9.1% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in El Paso is $1,073/month compared to $1,729/month in Austin — a difference of 61%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 109% of your El Paso salary to maintain the same standard of living in Austin. For example, a $75,000 salary in El Paso would need to be about $81,802 in Austin. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
El Paso has a median household income of $59,745 with an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Austin has a median household income of $93,658 with an unemployment rate of 3.2%. While income is higher in Austin, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.