Cost of Living: Chicago vs El Paso (2026)

Chicago vs El Paso cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. El Paso is about 13% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $86,792 in El Paso.

El Paso is about 13% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $86,792 in El Paso.

Chicago vs El Paso: the numbers

MetricChicagoEl PasoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10490-13%
Median rent$1,380$1,041-25%
Median home value$315,200$171,700-46%
Median household income$75,134$58,734-22%

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 Chicago has the same buying power as about $86,792 in El Paso. Going the other way, $100,000 in El Paso is like $115,218 in Chicago.

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

Compare any salary: Chicago vs El Paso

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 104 vs 90 — a 13% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $86,792 — that's what you'd need in El Paso to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago.