Median rent is 46% lower in El Paso ($1,073/mo vs $1,979/mo). Buying is cheaper in El Paso, where the median home runs $184,500 versus $929,900. Households earn more in Oakland ($101,600 vs $59,745 a year). Taken together, El Paso is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.3 against 117.6 — about 17% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Oakland, CA.
Cost of living verdict
El Paso is 17% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.3 in El Paso vs 117.6 in Oakland (US national average = 100)
City A
El Paso, TX
City B
Oakland, CA
How much would you need to earn in Oakland, CA to maintain your standard of living from El Paso, TX?
Equivalent salary in Oakland, CA
$90,566
You'd need $15,566 more (21% 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
El Paso
Texas
Oakland
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: 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 $1,979/mo in Oakland, a 46% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Oakland: the median home is $929,900 versus $184,500 in El Paso — 80% 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
Oakland
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
El Paso has cleaner air on average: 36.0 AQI (Good) compared to 60.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick El Paso if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 97.3 vs 117.6).
Pick Oakland if you prioritize higher median household income ($101,600/yr).
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 Oakland?
El Paso is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.3 versus 117.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 17% lower in El Paso.
How much is rent in El Paso vs Oakland?
Median rent is $1,073/mo in El Paso, TX and $1,979/mo in Oakland, CA. El Paso, TX has the lower rent by about 46%.
Which has higher salaries — El Paso or Oakland?
Median household income is $59,745 in El Paso, TX and $101,600 in Oakland, CA. Oakland, 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?
El Paso, TX has better air quality on average: 36.0 AQI versus 60.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — El Paso or Oakland?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Oakland 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 $120,755 in Oakland, CA (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
