Cost of Living: Dallas vs El Paso (2026)

Dallas 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 Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $87,217 in El Paso.

El Paso is about 13% less expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $87,217 in El Paso.

Dallas vs El Paso: the numbers

MetricDallasEl PasoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10390-13%
Median rent$1,403$1,041-26%
Median home value$295,300$171,700-42%
Median household income$67,760$58,734-13%

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 Dallas has the same buying power as about $87,217 in El Paso. Going the other way, $100,000 in El Paso is like $114,657 in Dallas.

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

Compare any salary: Dallas vs El Paso

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 90 — a 13% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $87,217 — that's what you'd need in El Paso to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Dallas.