CostIndexUSA

Dallas, TX vs El Paso, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Dallas
103.1
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
More AffordableTX
El Paso
89.9
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

El Paso is moderately cheaper than Dallas — 12.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dallas, you would need $69,800 in El Paso. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing39.6%
Dallas
117.9
El Paso
71.2
🛒 Groceries8.8%
Dallas
102.8
El Paso
93.8
🚗 Transportation3.4%
Dallas
104.7
El Paso
101.1
🏥 Healthcare3.5%
Dallas
94.7
El Paso
91.4
Utilities8.9%
Dallas
90.7
El Paso
82.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Dallas to see what you'd need to earn in El Paso to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in El Paso, TX
$69,800
$10,200 less needed in El Paso

Formula: salary × (89.9 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 0.8720. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Dallas, TX

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

El Paso, TX

Median Home Price
$226,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
71.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.6×

Dallas has 39.6% lower housing costs compared to El Paso.

Income & Job Market

Dallas, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
1,304,379
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyHealthcareTelecommunicationsReal Estate

El Paso, TX

Median Household Income
$59,000
Per Capita Income
$33,600
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
678,815
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryHealthcareRetailManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Dallas, TX
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

El Paso, TX
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.