Cost of Living: Boston vs El Paso (2026)

Boston vs El Paso cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. El Paso is about 17% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $83,047 in El Paso.

El Paso is about 17% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $83,047 in El Paso.

Boston vs El Paso: the numbers

MetricBostonEl PasoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10890-17%
Median rent$2,093$1,041-50%
Median home value$710,400$171,700-76%
Median household income$94,755$58,734-38%

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 Boston has the same buying power as about $83,047 in El Paso. Going the other way, $100,000 in El Paso is like $120,413 in Boston.

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

Compare any salary: Boston vs El Paso

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 108 vs 90 — a 17% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $83,047 — that's what you'd need in El Paso to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.