Houston vs El Paso: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Houston, TX and El Paso, TX. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Houston
Texas
Cost Index98.6
Median Rent$1,361/mo
Median Income$65K
State TaxNone
Below Average
City B
El Paso
Texas
Cost Index89.9
Median Rent$1,073/mo
Median Income$60K
State TaxNone
Affordable
Better value overall
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in El Paso to match your lifestyle in Houston?
$80,000
Houston
$80,000
Cost Index: 98.6
El Paso
$72,929
Cost Index: 89.9
You need $7,071 less in El Paso 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-8.8%
Houston98.6
El Paso89.9
Median Rent-21.2%
Houston$1K
El Paso$1K
Median Income-7.8%
Houston$65K
El Paso$60K
Grocery Index-71.4%
Houston350.2
El Paso100.0
Utilities Index~equal
Houston100.0
El Paso100.0
Transportation-64.5%
Houston281.5
El Paso100.0
Healthcare~equal
Houston100.0
El Paso100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
HoustonNone
El PasoNone
Side-by-Side Chart
Houston: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($65K)
9% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,361/mo vs $1,073/mo
El Paso: Pros & Cons
9% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,073/mo vs $1,361/mo
Lower grocery costs
Lower unemployment (4.1%)
Houston vs El Paso – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Houston and El Paso.
Houston has a cost of living index of 98.6, while El Paso scores 89.9. Houston is approximately -8.8% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Houston is $1,361/month compared to $1,073/month in El Paso — a difference of 21%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 91% of your Houston salary to maintain the same standard of living in El Paso. For example, a $75,000 salary in Houston would need to be about $68,371 in El Paso. 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.
Houston has a median household income of $64,813 with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. El Paso has a median household income of $59,745 with an unemployment rate of 4.1%. While income is higher in Houston, 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.