Is it cheaper to live in Denver or El Paso?

El Paso, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $33,000 in El Paso.

Which has lower taxes, Denver or El Paso?

Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); El Paso under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Denver vs El Paso Cost of Living 2026

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/mo est.

El Paso

Texas

$1,010/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,750 in Denver, CO versus $1,010 in El Paso, TX. Overall, El Paso, TX is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $58,734 in El Paso, TX — about 36% higher in Denver, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Denver, CO

El Paso, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,497

$707

+53% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,583

$816

+48% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,958

$993

+49% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,269

$1,252

+45% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$586,700

$171,700

+71% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$91,681

$58,734

+36% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$39,510

+37% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

34.1 yr

+1.1 yr in Denver, CO

Homeownership

49.1%

60.2%

+11.1 pp in El Paso, TX

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.6%

27.5%

+28.1 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

25.4 min

23.7 min

+1.7 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

998.3

319.7

+68% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

4,781.9

1,509.3

+68% in Denver, CO

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.2°F

64.6°F

+14.4°F in El Paso, TX

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

9.7 in

+5.9 in in Denver, CO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.58/gal

$3.96/gal

+14% in Denver, CO

Area: Denver vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

$1.50

+45% in Denver, CO

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.7

16.4

+2% in Denver, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.64

$24.61

+111% in El Paso, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.16

+5% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.73

+18% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$2.19

+3% in Denver, CO

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.56

+9% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$1.90

+11% in Denver, CO

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.61

+17% in Denver, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / TX)

2.9%

6.25%

+3.4 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

None

+4.4 pp in CO

Denver vs El Paso — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or El Paso?: El Paso, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in El Paso?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $33,000 in El Paso.
Which has lower taxes, Denver or El Paso?: Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).