Cost of Living: El Paso vs Houston (2026)

El Paso vs Houston cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Houston is about 10% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $109,695 in Houston.

Houston is about 10% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $109,695 in Houston.

El Paso vs Houston: the numbers

MetricEl PasoHoustonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)9099+10%
Median rent$1,041$1,313+26%
Median home value$171,700$253,400+48%
Median household income$58,734$62,894+7%

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 $109,695 in Houston. Going the other way, $100,000 in Houston is like $91,162 in El Paso.

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

Compare any salary: El Paso vs Houston

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 99 vs 90 — a 10% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $109,695 — that's what you'd need in Houston to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in El Paso.