Median rent is 19% lower in El Paso ($1,073/mo vs $1,324/mo). Buying is cheaper in El Paso, where the median home runs $184,500 versus $235,700. Households earn more in San Antonio ($65,056 vs $59,745 a year). Taken together, San Antonio is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.3 against 97.3 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in San Antonio, TX.
Cost of living verdict
San Antonio is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 94.3 in San Antonio vs 97.3 in El Paso (US national average = 100)
City A
El Paso, TX
City B
San Antonio, TX
How much would you need to earn in San Antonio, TX to maintain your standard of living from El Paso, TX?
Equivalent salary in San Antonio, TX
$72,674
You could earn $2,326 less (3% 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
San Antonio
Texas
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 $1,324/mo in San Antonio (19% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in San Antonio: the median home is $235,700 versus $184,500 in El Paso — 22% 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
San Antonio
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
El Paso has cleaner air on average: 36.0 AQI (Good) compared to 71.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick San Antonio if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 94.3 vs 97.3).
Pick San Antonio if you prioritize higher median household income ($65,056/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 San Antonio?
San Antonio is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.3 versus 97.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in San Antonio.
How much is rent in El Paso vs San Antonio?
Median rent is $1,073/mo in El Paso, TX and $1,324/mo in San Antonio, TX. El Paso, TX has the lower rent by about 19%.
Which has higher salaries — El Paso or San Antonio?
Median household income is $59,745 in El Paso, TX and $65,056 in San Antonio, TX. San Antonio, 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 71.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — El Paso or San Antonio?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in San Antonio 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 $96,899 in San Antonio, TX (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
