Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
El Paso and Wichita have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Kansas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. El Paso has a housing index of 69 while Wichita sits at 62 (national average = 100). The median home in El Paso costs $185,000 compared to $165,000 in Wichita, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in El Paso versus $900 in Wichita.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: El Paso scores 95 while Wichita scores 95. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in El Paso (89) are lower than Wichita (92).
Median household income in El Paso is $47,568 compared to $52,428 in Wichita. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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