El Paso, TX Cost Of Living

El Paso cost of living index

In the event that the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used. Each cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. If the amount is below 100, it is lower than the national average. If the amount is above 100, it is higher than the national average.
Index	El Paso	Texas	National
Cost of living index	85	91	100
Index	El Paso	Texas	National
Goods & Services index	90	93	100
Groceries index	101	91	100
Health care index	98	96	100
Housing index	70	83	100
Transportation index	92	94	100
Utilities index	87	100	100

Here we can see a simple outline of the cost of living in El Paso, TX. As you can see, with the average cost of living in El Paso, TX being 85, that puts it 6% lower than the average of Texas and 15% lower than our nation's average. This simple outline of the cost of living index was formulated using prices of: goods and services (weighted 33%), housing prices (weighted 30%), groceries (weighted 13%), utilities (weighted 10%), transportation (weighted 9%), and health care (weighted 5%). Thus, goods/services, along with housing influences the majority of the cost of living index. The price of daily goods and services is a valuable and reliable number to be aware of when considering the general price of the city's goods. In the case of El Paso, TX, the price of goods and services are 3% lower than the average of Texas as well as 10% lower than the nation's average.

Did you know?

The cost of living in El Paso is 6% lower than the Texas average.
The cost of living in El Paso is 15% lower than the national average.
The cost of housing in El Paso is 30% lower than the national average.
Texas general sales tax is 23% higher than the national average.
Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average.

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Salary Calculator

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Price difference in compared to

Cost of living index
Goods & Services index
Groceries index
Health care index
Housing index
Transportation index
Utilities index

Using the salary calculator lets you compare the salary you earn in El Paso, TX to what it is in other cities. It will let you know what your earnings would have to be in another city to have the same standard of living, as determined by the cost of living in each city. For example, if the cost of living in the area you want to move to is higher than the cost of living in El Paso, TX, you have to earn a higher income in order to still have the same standard of living. To operate the El Paso, TX salary calculator, put in the name of the other city, then move the slider to the point that represents the current income. The salary calculator will take care of the rest and tell you how much more or less you must earn in the new city. A Total breakdown of the cost of living is also provided.

Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

Median Income	Per Year	Per Month	Max Budget (28% DTI)	Max Budget (36% DTI)
Owners	$56,192	$4,683	$1,311	$1,686
Renters	$28,709	$2,392	$670	$861

The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in El Paso, TX as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for El Paso, TX homeowners, is $56,192. This would allow for a maximum of $1,311 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $28,709 which would result in a maximum of $670 to be spent on rental costs.

Texas Sales Tax

State	General Sales Tax	With Max Surtax
Texas	6.25%	8.25%

Texas Income Tax

State	Income Tax (Low)	Income Tax (High)
Texas	0%	0%

When assessing the complete cost of living in El Paso, TX, the Texas income tax and the Texas sales tax percentages should unquestionably be taken into consideration. Sales taxes aren't just levies imposed onto sold goods, but they also include taxes that are charged when services are provided for a fee. The rates are different from state to state and can run has high as 7 percent. Some states have no sales tax at all. The Texas maximum surtax is 8.25%, and the Texas sales tax is 6.25%. By contrast, income tax is an unfortunate obligation that is charged by the government against earnings. Just like sales taxes, the rates for income taxes differ from state to state. They also decrease or increase according to the individual's tax bracket. Tax rates can run as high as 9 percent, with a minimum of zero. Income tax rates range from 0% to 0% in Texas.

Goods & Services

Item	El Paso	National avg.	Difference
Haircut	$14.66	$16.09	8.8%
Beauty Salon	$34.84	$37.33	6.7%
Toothpaste	$1.93	$2.45	21.1%
Shampoo	$1.33	$1.00	33.3%
Movie	$10.25	$10.28	0.3%
Bowling	$4.01	$4.93	18.7%

Groceries

Item	El Paso	National avg.	Difference
Ground Beef	$3.59	$3.80	5.6%
Fried Chicken	$1.48	$1.40	5.8%
Milk	$2.04	$2.01	1.7%
Potatoes	$2.25	$3.01	25.2%
Pizza	$9.34	$9.89	5.6%
Beer	$9.30	$8.90	4.5%

Health Care

Item	El Paso	National avg.	Difference
Optometrist	$83.00	$102.16	18.8%
Doctor	$88.87	$108.36	18.0%
Dentist	$103.26	$92.53	11.6%
Ibuprofen	$9.34	$9.28	0.6%
Lipitor	$420.38	$425.82	1.3%

Housing

Item	El Paso	National avg.	Difference
Home Price	$119,300.00	$184,700.00	35.4%
Avg. Mortgage Payment	$966.89	$1,202.44	19.6%
Apartment Rent	$769.00	$949.00	19.0%

Transportation

Item	El Paso	National avg.	Difference
Gasoline	$2.21	$2.24	1.7%
Tire Balancing	$36.39	$46.29	21.4%

Utilities

Item	El Paso	National avg.	Difference
All Electricity	$158.52	$165.96	4.5%
Phone	$22.20	$28.68	22.6%

Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

Nearby cities with low cost of living

City, State	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Sparks, TX	4,208	75	-25%
San Elizario, TX	9,144	77	-23%
Canutillo, TX	5,695	79	-21%
Westway, TX	4,107	79	-21%
Vinton, TX	1,549	80	-20%
El Paso, TX	678,058	85	-15%

Cities with similar population

City, State	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Detroit, MI	683,443	80	-20%
Seattle, WA	668,849	159	59%
Denver, CO	663,303	115	15%
Washington, DC	659,009	152	52%
Boston, MA	658,279	148	48%
El Paso, TX	678,058	85	-15%

Source: The El Paso, TX cost of living data displayed above is derived from the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) for 2017.

El Paso, TX Cost of Living