El Paso vs Denver

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Colorado salaries

Living in El Paso vs Denver

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. El Paso has a housing index of 69 while Denver sits at 152 (national average = 100). The median home in El Paso costs $185,000 compared to $520,000 in Denver, a difference of $335,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in El Paso versus $1,900 in Denver.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: El Paso scores 95 while Denver scores 102. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in El Paso (89) are lower than Denver (104).

Median household income in El Paso is $47,568 compared to $72,661 in Denver. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in El Paso.

Relocating: El Paso vs Denver

If you are considering a move between El Paso (index: 85) and Denver (index: 118), the 28% cost difference has real implications for your budget. El Paso is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in El Paso can afford $1,110/month, while the median household in Denver can afford $1,695/month. With median homes at $185,000 in El Paso versus $520,000 in Denver, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $1,000/month in El Paso and $1,900/month in Denver, renters save significantly in El Paso. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in El Paso where costs are 15% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: El Paso (85) vs Denver (118)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. El Paso at 85 is 15% below the US average, while Denver at 118 is 18% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Denver costs meaningfully more than El Paso, with a 33-point composite gap that translates to real differences in rent, groceries, and daily expenses. The biggest category divergence is housing, where El Paso scores 69 and Denver scores 152. That 83-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors El Paso with indices of 69 versus 152. Median home prices of $185,000 in El Paso and $520,000 in Denver underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $1,000/month in El Paso and $1,900/month in Denver, the annual rent difference is approximately $10,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $54,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $335,000 difference in median home prices between El Paso and Denver translates to roughly $20,100 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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