Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or El Paso?

El Paso, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in El Paso?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $33,000 in El Paso.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or El Paso?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); El Paso under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs El Paso Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

El Paso

Texas

$1,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $1,020 in El Paso, TX. Overall, El Paso, TX is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bellevue, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $58,734 in El Paso, TX — about 33% higher in Bellevue, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

El Paso, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$707

+36% in Bellevue, NE

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$816

+19% in Bellevue, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$993

+17% in Bellevue, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,252

+25% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$171,700

+26% in Bellevue, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$58,734

+33% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$39,510

+20% in Bellevue, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

34.1 yr

+2.0 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

65.5%

60.2%

+5.3 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

27.5%

+5.9 pp in Bellevue, NE

Avg Commute

20.8 min

23.7 min

+2.9 min in El Paso, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

319.7

+217% in El Paso, TX

Property Crime

1,149.4

1,509.3

+31% in El Paso, TX

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.1°F

64.6°F

+13.5°F in El Paso, TX

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

9.7 in

+20.9 in in Bellevue, NE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Bellevue, NE

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.50

Adult base one-way fare — — vs Sun Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

16.4

+21% in El Paso, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$30.48

+96% in El Paso, TX

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bellevue, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in El Paso, TX

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Bellevue, NE

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / TX)

5.5%

6.25%

+0.8 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

None

+4.5 pp in NE

Bellevue vs El Paso — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or El Paso?: El Paso, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in El Paso?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $33,000 in El Paso.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or El Paso?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); El Paso under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).