Cost of Living: Austin vs El Paso (2026)

Austin vs El Paso cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. El Paso is about 8% less expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $91,685 in El Paso.

El Paso is about 8% less expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $91,685 in El Paso.

Austin vs El Paso: the numbers

MetricAustinEl PasoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)9890-8%
Median rent$1,655$1,041-37%
Median home value$512,700$171,700-67%
Median household income$91,461$58,734-36%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Austin has the same buying power as about $91,685 in El Paso. Going the other way, $100,000 in El Paso is like $109,069 in Austin.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Austin and El Paso.

Compare any salary: Austin vs El Paso

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 98 vs 90 — a 8% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $91,685 — that's what you'd need in El Paso to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Austin.