Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
14% cheaper
El Paso is 14% more affordable than Mesa. A $75,000 salary in Mesa is equivalent to $64,394 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 · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. El Paso has a housing index of 69 while Mesa sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in El Paso costs $185,000 compared to $350,000 in Mesa, a difference of $165,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in El Paso versus $1,350 in Mesa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: El Paso scores 95 while Mesa scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in El Paso (89) are lower than Mesa (95).
Median household income in El Paso is $47,568 compared to $60,234 in Mesa. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in El Paso.
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