Dallas, TX vs El Paso, TX

The cost of living difference between Dallas, TX and El Paso, TX is dramatic. El Paso is 32.6% cheaper than Dallas, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Dallas has a cost index of 103 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 Dallas is $1,403/month compared to $1,041/month in El Paso — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: El Paso is more affordable at $171,700 median vs $295,300.

Median household income in Dallas is $67,760 compared to $58,734 in El Paso (+15.4%). Dallas does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Dallas spend roughly 24.8% of their income on rent, more than the 21.3% in El Paso.