Cost of Living: El Paso vs Fort Worth (2026)

El Paso vs Fort Worth cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Fort Worth is about 15% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $114,657 in Fort Worth.

Fort Worth is about 15% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $114,657 in Fort Worth.

El Paso vs Fort Worth: the numbers

MetricEl PasoFort WorthDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)90103+15%
Median rent$1,041$1,412+36%
Median home value$171,700$277,300+62%
Median household income$58,734$76,602+30%

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

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

Compare any salary: El Paso vs Fort Worth

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 90 — a 15% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $114,657 — that's what you'd need in Fort Worth to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in El Paso.