Cost of Living: Columbus vs El Paso (2026)

Columbus vs El Paso cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. El Paso is about 6% less expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $94,179 in El Paso.

El Paso is about 6% less expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $94,179 in El Paso.

Columbus vs El Paso: the numbers

MetricColumbusEl PasoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)9590-6%
Median rent$1,224$1,041-15%
Median home value$234,500$171,700-27%
Median household income$65,327$58,734-10%

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 Columbus has the same buying power as about $94,179 in El Paso. Going the other way, $100,000 in El Paso is like $106,180 in Columbus.

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

Compare any salary: Columbus vs El Paso

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbus is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 95 vs 90 — a 6% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $94,179 — that's what you'd need in El Paso to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Columbus.