City vs city
El Paso, TX vs Mesa, AZ
- Rent is 51% lower in El Paso (median $1,073/mo vs $1,620/mo in Mesa).
- Homes cost 121% less in El Paso ($185k vs $408k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $686 more a month after taxes and rent in El Paso.
- El Paso has no state income tax on wages; Mesa does.
- Schools rate higher in Mesa (4.9/10 vs 4.6/10).
- El Paso has less violent crime (2.9 vs 4.3 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Mesa has milder winters (53°F vs 46°F average).
| El Paso | Mesa | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,073/mo | $1,620/mo |
| Median home value | $185k | $408k |
| Median household income | $60k | $83k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $4,060 | $3,374 |
| State income tax on wages | None | Yes |
| School rating | 4.6/10 | 4.9/10 |
| Violent crime | 19% below the US rate | 1.2× the US rate |
| Summer average | 97°F | 106°F |
| Winter average | 46°F | 53°F |
| Sunny days a year | 302 | 294 |
| Walk score | 40 | 42 |
| Population | 680,130 | 511,764 |
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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