El Paso vs St. Cloud
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
El Paso
St. Cloud
💡 The Verdict
El Paso is 18% cheaper than St. Cloud overall. A $75,000 salary in El Paso is equivalent to $91,765 in St. Cloud.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for El Paso (left) vs St. Cloud (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in El Paso versus St. Cloud. Differences shown from El Paso perspective.
| Item | El Paso | St. Cloud | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $720/mo | $1,110/mo | $-390.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,000/mo | $1,410/mo | $-410.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,350/mo | $1,940/mo | $-590.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.54 | $2.74 | $-0.20 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.63 | $4.05 | $-0.42 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.33 | $3.08 | +$0.25 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.93 | $5.44 | +$0.49 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.25 | $3.28 | $-0.03 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15.28 | $17.14 | $-1.86 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in El Paso has the same purchasing power as $91,765 in St. Cloud.
Conversely, $75,000 in St. Cloud equals $61,298 in El Paso.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $5101 difference is driven by Minnesota having a higher state income tax rate. Texas details → · Minnesota details →
Reading These Numbers: El Paso (85) vs St. Cloud (104)
El Paso at 85 is 15% below the US average, while St. Cloud at 104 is 4% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In El Paso, the composite index of 85 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 69, followed by groceries (95), utilities (93), transportation (98), and healthcare (89). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,000/mo in El Paso and $1,410/mo in St. Cloud, the annual rent difference is approximately $4,920.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $24,600.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $139,000.0 difference in median home prices between El Paso and St. Cloud translates to meaningful differences 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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Making Your Decision: El Paso vs St. Cloud
Choosing between El Paso and St. Cloud involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between El Paso and St. Cloud can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.