Moving from Houston to El Paso (2026)
El Paso has a COL index of 80 vs 95 for Houston (100 = US average). You'd pay about 16% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$366/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
9580
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,350$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 Houston lifestyle
Based on the 16% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Houston | Equivalent in El Paso |
|---|---|
| $40K | $33,684 |
| $50K | $42,105 |
| $60K | $50,526 |
| $75K | $63,158 |
| $80K | $67,368 |
| $100K | $84,211 |
| $120K | $101,053 |
| $150K | $126,316 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Houston vs El Paso
| Expense | Houston | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,741 | $4,741 |
| 1BR rent | $1,350 | $1,050 |
| Groceries | $357 | $346 |
| Transport | $90 | $40 |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 |
| Internet | $65 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,704 | $3,070 |
Frequently asked questions
Is El Paso cheaper than Houston?
Yes. El Paso has a cost of living index of 80 vs 95 for Houston (100 = US average). That's about 16% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Houston to El Paso?
On a $75K salary, moving from Houston to El Paso could save roughly $366/month on core expenses. That's ~$4,392/year.
What salary do I need in El Paso to match my Houston lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Houston, you'd need roughly $63,158/year in El Paso. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from El Paso to HoustonHouston vs El Paso — full comparisonHouston 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