Moving from Austin to El Paso (2026)
El Paso has a COL index of 80 vs 122 for Austin (100 = US average). You'd pay about 34% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$786/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
12280
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,800$1,050
per month
State tax
NoneNone
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,741$4,741
per month
Salary needed in El Paso to match your Austin lifestyle
Based on the 34% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Austin | Equivalent in El Paso |
|---|---|
| $40K | $26,230 |
| $50K | $32,787 |
| $60K | $39,344 |
| $75K | $49,180 |
| $80K | $52,459 |
| $100K | $65,574 |
| $120K | $78,689 |
| $150K | $98,361 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Austin vs El Paso
| Expense | Austin | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,741 | $4,741 |
| 1BR rent | $1,800 | $1,050 |
| Groceries | $372 | $346 |
| Transport | $50 | $40 |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 |
| Internet | $65 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,284 | $3,070 |
Frequently asked questions
Is El Paso cheaper than Austin?
Yes. El Paso has a cost of living index of 80 vs 122 for Austin (100 = US average). That's about 34% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Austin to El Paso?
On a $75K salary, moving from Austin to El Paso could save roughly $786/month on core expenses. That's ~$9,432/year.
What salary do I need in El Paso to match my Austin lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Austin, you'd need roughly $49,180/year in El Paso. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from El Paso to AustinAustin vs El Paso — full comparisonAustin cost of livingEl Paso cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only