Austin, TX vs El Paso, TX

The cost of living difference between Austin, TX and El Paso, TX is dramatic. El Paso is 63.6% cheaper than Austin, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Austin has a cost index of 127 while El Paso sits at 77, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Austin is $1,655/month compared to $1,041/month in El Paso — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: El Paso is more affordable at $171,700 median vs $512,700.

Median household income in Austin is $91,461 compared to $58,734 in El Paso (+55.7%). The higher salaries in Austin partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Austin spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, more than the 21.3% in El Paso.