Houston vs El Paso

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Houston vs El Paso

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Houston has a housing index of 89 while El Paso sits at 69 (national average = 100). The median home in Houston costs $250,000 compared to $185,000 in El Paso, a difference of $65,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Houston versus $1,000 in El Paso.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Houston scores 94 while El Paso scores 95.

Healthcare costs in Houston (96) are higher than El Paso (89).

Median household income in Houston is $52,338 compared to $47,568 in El Paso. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in El Paso.

Relocating: Houston vs El Paso

If you are considering a move between Houston (index: 96) and El Paso (index: 85), the 11% cost difference has real implications for your budget. El Paso is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Houston can afford $1,221/month, while the median household in El Paso can afford $1,110/month. With median homes at $250,000 in Houston versus $185,000 in El Paso, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Houston and $1,000/month in El Paso, renters save significantly in El Paso. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in El Paso where costs are 15% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Houston (96) vs El Paso (85)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Houston at 96 is 4% below the US average, while El Paso at 85 is 15% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

A 11-point index spread separates Houston from El Paso, a moderate gap that adds up across monthly bills but is manageable with a typical dual-income household budget. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Houston scores 89 and El Paso scores 69. That 20-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors El Paso with indices of 69 versus 89. Median home prices of $250,000 in Houston and $185,000 in El Paso underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Houston has an edge in groceries, while El Paso is more affordable for housing and utilities. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,400/month in Houston and $1,000/month in El Paso, the annual rent difference is approximately $4,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $24,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $65,000 difference in median home prices between Houston and El Paso translates to roughly $3,900 per month 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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