Median rent is 14% lower in El Paso ($1,073/mo vs $1,251/mo). Buying is cheaper in El Paso, where the median home runs $184,500 versus $315,700. Households earn more in El Paso ($59,745 vs $56,631 a year). Taken together, New Orleans is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.2 against 97.3 — about 6% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
New Orleans is 6% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.2 in New Orleans vs 97.3 in El Paso (US national average = 100)
City A
El Paso, TX
City B
New Orleans, LA
How much would you need to earn in New Orleans, LA to maintain your standard of living from El Paso, TX?
Equivalent salary in New Orleans, LA
$70,259
You could earn $4,741 less (6% lower) and break even.
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
El Paso
Texas
New Orleans
Louisiana
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
Median rent is modestly lower in El Paso at $1,073/mo compared to $1,251/mo in New Orleans (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New Orleans: the median home is $315,700 versus $184,500 in El Paso — 42% 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.
El Paso
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
New Orleans
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
El Paso has cleaner air on average: 36.0 AQI (Good) compared to 52.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick New Orleans if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.2 vs 97.3).
Pick El Paso if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,073/mo median).
Pick El Paso if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 36.0).
Is El Paso cheaper than New Orleans?
New Orleans is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.2 versus 97.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 6% lower in New Orleans.
How much is rent in El Paso vs New Orleans?
Median rent is $1,073/mo in El Paso, TX and $1,251/mo in New Orleans, LA. El Paso, TX has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — El Paso or New Orleans?
Median household income is $59,745 in El Paso, TX and $56,631 in New Orleans, LA. El Paso, TX 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 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — El Paso or New Orleans?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in New Orleans 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 $93,679 in New Orleans, LA (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
