Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
18% cheaper
El Paso is 18% more affordable than Provo. A $75,000 salary in Provo is equivalent to $61,298 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 · Utah salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. El Paso has a housing index of 69 while Provo sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in El Paso costs $185,000 compared to $380,000 in Provo, a difference of $195,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in El Paso versus $1,300 in Provo.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: El Paso scores 95 while Provo scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in El Paso (89) are lower than Provo (97).
Median household income in El Paso is $47,568 compared to $51,048 in Provo. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in El Paso.
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