Median rent is 45% lower in El Paso ($1,041/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in El Paso, where the median home runs $171,700 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $58,734 a year). Taken together, El Paso is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.1 against 113.3 — about 14% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Los Angeles, CA.
Quick verdict
El Paso is 14% cheaper overall
Cost index: 97.1 in El Paso vs 113.3 in Los Angeles (US average = 100)
City A
El Paso, TX
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from El Paso, TX?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$87,535
You'd need $12,535 more (17% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
El Paso
Texas
Los Angeles
California
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in El Paso — median rent of $1,041/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 45% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $171,700 in El Paso — 80% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while California tops out at 13.30% — giving El Paso a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 7.25% in California; El Paso has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
El Paso
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Los Angeles has cleaner air on average: 77.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 153.0 AQI (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick El Paso if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 97.1 vs 113.3).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick El Paso if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,041/mo median).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 77.0).
Is El Paso cheaper than Los Angeles?
El Paso is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.1 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 14% lower in El Paso.
How much is rent in El Paso vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,041/mo in El Paso, TX and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. El Paso, TX has the lower rent by about 45%.
Which has higher salaries — El Paso or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso, TX and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA 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?
Los Angeles, CA has better air quality on average: 77.0 AQI versus 153.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — El Paso or Los Angeles?
Texas has no state income tax. California has a top rate of 13.30%.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my El Paso income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in El Paso, TX is equivalent to roughly $116,714 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology