El PasoMoney Index August 2026
"Border-city budget mastery."
El Paso — Money Index — Key Facts
- Cost of Living: 83. El Paso is roughly 17% cheaper than the typical US city. A $75k paycheck here spends like $90k somewhere average.
- 60% Own Their Home. Only 60% of El Paso households own — well below the US average of ~65%. Most residents are still renting.
- Happiness Score: 68/100. Residents rate life in El Paso a 68/100 — roughly the US average.
- Work-Life Balance: 65/100. El Paso scores 65/100 on work-life balance — one of the more livable big US metros.
- 14% Savings Rate. El Paso households save about 14% of income — well above the ~8% US average. Quiet wealth, compounding fast.
- Financial Stress: 46/100. Money stress in El Paso sits at 46/100 — calmer than most big US cities.
- 22-Minute Commute. El Paso's one-way commute is just 22 minutes — 5 minutes shorter than the US average. That's ~169 hours a year behind the wheel instead of ~207.
- El Paso Quirk. El Paso's cost of living is consistently more than 15% below the national average.
- 17% of Land Is Parks. Roughly 17% of El Paso's land is parkland — about the big-city median.
- Median Household: $52k. El Paso households earn about $52k — roughly 31% below the US average.
El Paso ranks among the safest and most affordable large US cities.
With a median household income of ~$52k, a 14% savings rate, and a cost-of-living index of 83, El Paso ranks #17 of 50 US cities in our overall money index.
Green space & commute
Two underrated money levers: how long you spend getting to work, and how much nature you can reach without paying for it.
About 17% of El Paso's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
- • Source: Trust for Public Land ParkScore
- • Parks lower stress and lift nearby property values
- • Free recreation = zero-cost lifestyle upgrade
El Paso has a short ~22-minute one-way commute — well below the US average of ~27 minutes. Time saved compounds: 10 minutes less per day ≈ 80 hours and a few hundred dollars in fuel every year.
- • Source: US Census ACS mean one-way travel time
- • Owning a car runs ~$10k/year on average in the US
- • 10 fewer commute minutes/day ≈ 80 hours back per year
Typical El Paso household budget
Modeled split of $100 of after-tax income, scaled to El Paso's cost of living and savings rate.
How El Paso feels about money
Four El Paso money truths
El Paso's savings rate runs 14% — automate even one extra percentage point and you compound serious money over a decade.
El Paso is cheaper than the US average — your paycheck stretches noticeably further than in coastal metros.
Owning unlocks fixed housing costs and equity. Renters here can still build wealth — just channel the difference into index funds and a high-yield savings account.
Texas residents in El Paso report a 68/100 happiness score with stress at 46/100 — money habits and lifestyle here track that mix closely.
"El Paso's cost of living is consistently more than 15% below the national average."
Money lessons from El Paso
- 1
Stack the cheap-city + no-tax combo
- 2
Build cash before investing
- 3
Stay debt-free as a superpower
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El Paso money FAQ
Is El Paso, Texas a good city for saving money?+
El Paso households save about 14% of income, with a happiness score of 68/100 and a work-life balance score of 65/100. El Paso ranks among the safest and most affordable large US cities.
What is the median household income in El Paso?+
The median household income in El Paso, Texas is roughly $52,000 per year. About 48% of households have a 3-month emergency fund.
How affordable is El Paso?+
El Paso's cost of living index sits at 83 (100 = US average). Homeownership stands at 60%.
How long is the average commute in El Paso?+
El Paso has a short ~22-minute one-way commute — well below the US average of ~27 minutes. Time saved compounds: 10 minutes less per day ≈ 80 hours and a few hundred dollars in fuel every year.
How much urban green space does El Paso have?+
About 17% of El Paso's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
What money personality fits El Paso?+
The Saver — Frugal by nature; small wins compound into big wealth.
What's surprising about money in El Paso?+
El Paso's cost of living is consistently more than 15% below the national average.
