Arlington vs El Paso

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $38,872 in El Paso.

Conversely, $75,000 in El Paso equals $144,706 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs El Paso

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher El Paso's 69, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $185,000. The $555,000 difference in home prices means roughly $36,072 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,000/mo in El Paso, a monthly difference of $1,350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 95 in El Paso. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $451/month in El Paso. El Paso offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $636/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 93 in El Paso. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $372 in El Paso. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 89 in El Paso. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $47,568 in El Paso. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $55,962 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,110/month in El Paso. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In El Paso, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 180 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases