Question 1

Is Arlington or El Paso cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

El Paso, TX is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $589/month less than in Arlington, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,723/mo in Arlington versus $1,191/mo in El Paso.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Arlington vs El Paso?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $75,500/year before tax in Arlington, TX and $63,500/year in El Paso, TX — a difference of about $12,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Arlington or El Paso cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

El Paso, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $10,055/month in Arlington and $8,277/month in El Paso, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Arlington or El Paso?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. El Paso costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Arlington71	El Paso79
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,277	$3,688
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$10,055	$8,277
Salary for comfort	$75,500/yr	$63,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,723	$1,191
Median home value	$276,400	$171,700
Median household income	$73,519	$58,734
Unemployment	4.7%	4.8%
Housing score	57	85
Jobs score	51	46
Safety score	65	98
Climate score	94	94
Amenities score	73	39
Population	394.8K	678.1K
Summer high / winter low	95° / 36°	95° / 33°

Arlington, TX vs El Paso, TX