El Paso wins overall by ~25% (COL index)
Cost of living: El Paso vs Chicago (2026)
A $60,000 salary in El Paso buys roughly what $80,250 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$15,722/yr
Favoring El Paso for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,310/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~12 months and still keep ~$157/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | El Paso Texas | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850Wins | $1,500 | El Paso wins +$650/mo | $7,800/yr saves in El Paso |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050Wins | $1,900 | El Paso wins +$850/mo | $10,200/yr saves in El Paso |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $2,600 | El Paso wins +$1,200/mo | $14,400/yr saves in El Paso |
| Median home price | $215KWins | $360K | El Paso wins +$145K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 91Better | 102 | El Paso wins +11 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Wins | $15 | El Paso wins +$4/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46Wins | $60 | El Paso wins +$14/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $40Wins | $105 | El Paso wins +$65/mo | $780/yr saves in El Paso |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.40 | El Paso wins +$0.40 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $162Better | $165 | El Paso wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | El Paso wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $48K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$19K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 4.9% | El Paso wins +4.9 pp | $2,940/yr saves in El Paso |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Wins | 10.3% | El Paso wins +2.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $16.00 | El Paso wins +$3.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $32Wins | $45 | El Paso wins +$13/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Wins | $7.00 | El Paso wins +$2.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 80Wins | 107 | El Paso wins +27 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +50 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,940/yr tax difference into cash back
El Paso fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in El Paso.
High-yield savings
Park ~$10,200/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is El Paso cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. El Paso is 25% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (80 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in El Paso vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in El Paso is $1,050/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. El Paso is cheaper by 45%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in El Paso?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $100,313/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in El Paso. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — El Paso or Chicago?
El Paso has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.9%. El Paso has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from El Paso to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: El Paso ↔ Chicago
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