Median rent is 26% lower in El Paso ($1,073/mo vs $1,451/mo). Buying is cheaper in El Paso, where the median home runs $184,500 versus $353,700. Households earn more in Concord ($86,921 vs $59,745 a year). Taken together, Concord is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.3 against 97.3 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Concord, NC.
City A
Concord, NC
City B
El Paso, TX
How much would you need to earn in El Paso, TX to maintain your standard of living from Concord, NC?
Equivalent salary in El Paso, TX
$75,018
You'd need $18 more (0% 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
Concord
North Carolina
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 $1,451/mo in Concord, a 26% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Concord: the median home is $353,700 versus $184,500 in El Paso — 48% more expensive.
Metric
Concord
El Paso
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Concord
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
El Paso
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for El Paso (avg AQI 36.0) but not yet for Concord.
Pick Concord if you prioritize higher median household income ($86,921/yr).
Pick El Paso if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,073/mo median).
Concord is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.3 versus 97.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Concord.
Median rent is $1,451/mo in Concord, NC and $1,073/mo in El Paso, TX. El Paso, TX has the lower rent by about 26%.
Median household income is $86,921 in Concord, NC and $59,745 in El Paso, TX. Concord, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Concord, NC is equivalent to roughly $100,025 in El Paso, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
