El Paso, TX vs Plano, TX

The cost of living difference between El Paso, TX and Plano, TX is dramatic. El Paso is 38.7% cheaper than Plano, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. El Paso has a cost index of 77 while Plano sits at 126, 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 El Paso is $1,041/month compared to $1,792/month in Plano — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: El Paso is more affordable at $171,700 median vs $440,600.

Median household income in El Paso is $58,734 compared to $108,649 in Plano (-45.9%). While Plano is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of El Paso spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Plano.