Median rent is 26% lower in El Paso ($1,073/mo vs $1,446/mo). Buying is cheaper in El Paso, where the median home runs $184,500 versus $484,800. Households earn more in Boise City ($83,904 vs $59,745 a year). Taken together, Boise City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.4 against 97.3 — about 8% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boise City, ID.
Cost of living verdict
Boise City is 8% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 89.4 in Boise City vs 97.3 in El Paso (US national average = 100)
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
El Paso, TX
How much would you need to earn in El Paso, TX to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
Equivalent salary in El Paso, TX
$81,709
You'd need $6,709 more (9% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Boise City
Idaho
El Paso
Texas
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in El Paso — median rent of $1,073/mo versus $1,446/mo in Boise City, a 26% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Boise City: the median home is $484,800 versus $184,500 in El Paso — 62% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Boise City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
El Paso
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Boise City averages 36.0 AQI (Good) and El Paso averages 36.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 89.4 vs 97.3).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,904/yr).
Pick El Paso if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,073/mo median).
Is Boise City cheaper than El Paso?
Boise City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.4 versus 97.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 8% lower in Boise City.
How much is rent in Boise City vs El Paso?
Median rent is $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID and $1,073/mo in El Paso, TX. El Paso, TX has the lower rent by about 26%.
Which has higher salaries — Boise City or El Paso?
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise City, ID and $59,745 in El Paso, TX. Boise City, ID has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
El Paso, TX has better air quality on average: 36.0 AQI versus 36.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boise City or El Paso?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in El Paso to match my Boise City income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boise City, ID is equivalent to roughly $108,945 in El Paso, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
