City vs city
Chicago, IL vs El Paso, TX
- Rent is 34% lower in El Paso (median $1,073/mo vs $1,440/mo in Chicago).
- Homes cost 81% less in El Paso ($185k vs $334k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $665 more a month after taxes and rent in El Paso.
- El Paso has no state income tax on wages; Chicago does.
- Schools rate higher in El Paso (4.6/10 vs 2.4/10).
- El Paso has less violent crime (2.9 vs 4.2 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- El Paso has milder winters (46°F vs 26°F average).
- El Paso gets more sun (302 vs 189 sunny days a year).
| Chicago | El Paso | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,440/mo | $1,073/mo |
| Median home value | $334k | $185k |
| Median household income | $78k | $60k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,395 | $4,060 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | None |
| School rating | 2.4/10 | 4.6/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.2× the US rate | 19% below the US rate |
| Summer average | 85°F | 97°F |
| Winter average | 26°F | 46°F |
| Sunny days a year | 189 | 302 |
| Walk score | 77 | 40 |
| Population | 2,711,226 | 680,130 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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