Cost of Living in El Paso, TX
Population 678,815 · Texas
The cost of living in El Paso, TX is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $816 a month — 33% lower than the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $707 and two-bedrooms $993.
Median household income here is $58,734, 23% lower than the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,010 before food and transport. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Rent1BR $816
Buying a Home$171,700
Income$58,734
Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).
GroceriesSouth
Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
Utilities16.4¢/kWh
Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Gas$3.96/gal
EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.
Public Transit$1.50
Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026).
State Taxes (TX)6.25% sales
State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.
Crime319.7 violent
FBI Crime Data Explorer, El Paso Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.
People & LifestyleAge 34.1 yrs
Climate64.6°F
El Paso cost of living — FAQ
- Is El Paso expensive to live in?
- El Paso is among the more affordable of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $816 per month ranks #50 of 50 and is 33% lower than the $1,223 median.
- What is the average rent in El Paso?
- Average rent in El Paso, TX runs a studio around $707, a one-bedroom around $816, a two-bedroom around $993, a three-bedroom around $1,252 per month (US Census ACS).
- How much do you need to earn to live in El Paso?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $816 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year. The median household income here is $58,734.
- How much does it cost to live in El Paso per month?
- A rough monthly baseline for one person in El Paso is about $1,010 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.
Compare El Paso with nearby cities
Nearby cities
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.