Median rent is 35% lower in El Paso ($1,073/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in El Paso, where the median home runs $184,500 versus $581,500. Households earn more in Portland ($90,919 vs $59,745 a year). Taken together, El Paso is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.3 against 101.5 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Portland, OR.
Cost of living verdict
El Paso is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.3 in El Paso vs 101.5 in Portland (US national average = 100)
City A
El Paso, TX
City B
Portland, OR
How much would you need to earn in Portland, OR to maintain your standard of living from El Paso, TX?
Equivalent salary in Portland, OR
$78,208
You'd need $3,208 more (4% 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
Portland
Oregon
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 $1,655/mo in Portland, a 35% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Portland: the median home is $581,500 versus $184,500 in El Paso — 68% 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
Portland
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Portland has cleaner air on average: 26.0 AQI (Good) compared to 36.0 AQI (Good) 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 101.5).
Pick Portland if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,919/yr).
Pick El Paso if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,073/mo median).
Pick Portland if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 26.0).
Is El Paso cheaper than Portland?
El Paso is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.3 versus 101.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in El Paso.
How much is rent in El Paso vs Portland?
Median rent is $1,073/mo in El Paso, TX and $1,655/mo in Portland, OR. El Paso, TX has the lower rent by about 35%.
Which has higher salaries — El Paso or Portland?
Median household income is $59,745 in El Paso, TX and $90,919 in Portland, OR. Portland, OR 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?
Portland, OR has better air quality on average: 26.0 AQI versus 36.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — El Paso or Portland?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Portland 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 $104,277 in Portland, OR (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
