Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
49% cheaper
El Paso is 49% more affordable than Los Angeles. A $75,000 salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $38,404 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 · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. El Paso has a housing index of 69 while Los Angeles sits at 262 (national average = 100). The median home in El Paso costs $185,000 compared to $850,000 in Los Angeles, a difference of $665,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in El Paso versus $2,700 in Los Angeles.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: El Paso scores 95 while Los Angeles scores 107.
Healthcare costs in El Paso (89) are lower than Los Angeles (103).
Median household income in El Paso is $47,568 compared to $65,290 in Los Angeles. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in El Paso.
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