Median rent is 24% lower in El Paso ($1,073/mo vs $1,414/mo). Buying is cheaper in El Paso, where the median home runs $184,500 versus $539,500. Households earn more in Salt Lake City ($75,090 vs $59,745 a year). Taken together, Salt Lake City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.1 against 97.3 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Salt Lake City, UT.
City A
El Paso, TX
City B
Salt Lake City, UT
How much would you need to earn in Salt Lake City, UT to maintain your standard of living from El Paso, TX?
Equivalent salary in Salt Lake City, UT
$74,844
You could earn $156 less (0% lower) and break even.
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
Salt Lake City
Utah
👥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 $1,073/mo versus $1,414/mo in Salt Lake City, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Salt Lake City: the median home is $539,500 versus $184,500 in El Paso — 66% 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
Salt Lake City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
El Paso has cleaner air on average: 36.0 AQI (Good) compared to 41.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Salt Lake City if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,090/yr).
Pick El Paso if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,073/mo median).
Is El Paso cheaper than Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.1 versus 97.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Salt Lake City.
How much is rent in El Paso vs Salt Lake City?
Median rent is $1,073/mo in El Paso, TX and $1,414/mo in Salt Lake City, UT. El Paso, TX has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — El Paso or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $59,745 in El Paso, TX and $75,090 in Salt Lake City, UT. Salt Lake City, UT 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 41.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — El Paso or Salt Lake City?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Salt Lake City 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 $99,792 in Salt Lake City, UT (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
