Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
22% cheaper
El Paso is 22% more affordable than Plano. A $75,000 salary in Plano is equivalent to $58,486 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. El Paso has a housing index of 69 while Plano sits at 123 (national average = 100). The median home in El Paso costs $185,000 compared to $400,000 in Plano, a difference of $215,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in El Paso versus $1,700 in Plano.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: El Paso scores 95 while Plano scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in El Paso (89) are lower than Plano (100).
Median household income in El Paso is $47,568 compared to $96,348 in Plano. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in El Paso.
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