Cost of Living: El Paso vs San Francisco (2026)

El Paso vs San Francisco cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Francisco is about 29% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $128,585 in San Francisco.

San Francisco is about 29% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $128,585 in San Francisco.

El Paso vs San Francisco: the numbers

MetricEl PasoSan FranciscoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)90116+29%
Median rent$1,041$2,419+132%
Median home value$171,700$1,380,500+704%
Median household income$58,734$141,446+141%

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 $128,585 in San Francisco. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Francisco is like $77,770 in El Paso.

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

Compare any salary: El Paso vs San Francisco

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 116 vs 90 — a 29% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $128,585 — that's what you'd need in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in El Paso.