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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Premium market, smart picks: while the market trends above the national average, the gap between the most and least expensive cities here is wider than you'd think. And as far as the data shows, el Paso at index 94 is the standout — offering meaningful savings without leaving a desirable market.
Premium market, smart picks: while the market trends above the national average, the gap between the most and least expensive cities here is wider than you'd think. And as far as the data shows, el Paso at index 94 is the standout — offering meaningful savings without leaving a desirable market.
El Paso earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 94 cost index sits 18 points below the national baseline, and the $58,734 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $231,886 — $235,484 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 84, while Healthcare trails at 96.
Real talk: the ranking uses a composite of 2026 data from Census Bureau population/income surveys, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary benchmarks, and Tax Foundation tax rates. El Paso (index 94, rent $1,441); Boston (index 151, rent $3,510). Each city profile below links to the full detail page with 12-month trends, salary breakdowns, and cost category comparisons.
It's a strong position — but not without footnotes. Nationally, the 288 cities in our database average a cost index of 112, rent of $1,895/month, and household income of $80,367. The cities in this ranking significantly outperform those benchmarks. On a fixed income, this is the metric that matters most.
Bottom line: El Paso, TX leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
#1 Ranked: El Paso, TX — cost index 94, rent $1,441/mo, income $58,734
1 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 112
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
678,958 residents · Texas
So, El Paso. Cost index of 94 — which, honestly, is lower than you'd expect here — , rent at $1,441/month. It's lower than the national average. Median income is $58,734, which is below the national median. That's more or less in line with the region.
653,833 residents · Massachusetts
Boston earns its position at #2 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 151 cost index sits 39 points above the national baseline, and the $94,755 median income means purchasing power here is partially offset by higher costs. Homes list at $768,702 — $301,332 above the national median, reflecting the metro premium. On the cost side, Utilities leads the way at 139, while Housing trails at 228.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
El Paso (ranked #1) has a cost index of 94 and rent of $1,441/mo, while Boston (ranked #2) has a cost index of 151 and rent of $3,510/mo — a 57-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in El Paso is $1,441/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $454 below the national median of $1,895/month.
The median home price in El Paso is $231,886, which is 3.9× the local median income. It's on the edge of affordability for median-income households. The national median home price is $467,370.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.