Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
17% cheaper
El Paso is 17% more affordable than Dallas. A $75,000 salary in Dallas is equivalent to $61,893 in El Paso.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Dallas has a housing index of 104 while El Paso sits at 69 (national average = 100). The median home in Dallas costs $310,000 compared to $185,000 in El Paso, a difference of $125,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Dallas versus $1,000 in El Paso.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Dallas scores 97 while El Paso scores 95. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Dallas (100) are higher than El Paso (89).
Median household income in Dallas is $54,747 compared to $47,568 in El Paso. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in El Paso.
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