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City Report · TX

El Paso

Pop. 680,130·183rd most expensive in Texas·El Paso rents are up 6.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,521/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.4%
Month-over-Month
+0.5%
vs US Median
-$444
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
El Paso · $1,521
More affordable than 74% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
49/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where El Paso's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,521/mo
Expected by trend
$1,515/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where El Paso's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$868
1 BR
$1,074
2 BR
$1,254
3 BR
$1,735
4 BR+
$2,111
Research median
$1,254/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,252/yr
At $1,521/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.4% YoY, +0.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

El Paso, TX is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 28.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
680,130
Median income
$59,745
Median age
34.5
Renters
39.2%
Age distribution
24.9%
25.9%
24.3%
14.3%
Under 1824.9%
18–3425.9%
35–5424.3%
55–6410.7%
65+14.3%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
29.8%
81.2%
White29.8%
Black3.6%
Hispanic81.2%
Asian1.5%
Education (25+)
17.8%
24.4%
29.6%
28.1%
No HS diploma17.8%
HS diploma24.4%
Some college29.6%
Bachelor's+28.1%
Housing tenure
60.8%
39.2%
Owner60.8%
Renter39.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How El Paso, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,095 → $1,521
up 38.9%
Income
$51,325 → $59,745
up 16.4%
Population
676,395 → 680,130
up 0.6%
Renter share
40.2% → 39.2%
-1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
26.7% → 28.1%
+1.4 pts
Median age
33.5 → 34.5
+1.0 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in El Paso, TX has increased from $1,095 to $1,521, a 38.9% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in El Paso, TX now reports about $59,745, up from $51,325 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and El Paso, TX reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about El Paso

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View El Paso rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in El Paso on your salary?

At $1,521/mo, how El Paso rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

El Paso rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in El Paso. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in El Paso

About renting in El Paso, TX

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in El Paso is $1,521/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $868/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,254/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,074/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,735/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($59,745/yr), El Paso ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is El Paso an affordable city for renters?

El Paso is considered moderate for renters. At $1,521/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($59,745/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. El Paso slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in El Paso?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $61,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,521/mo in El Paso. The local median household income is $59,745/yr, meaning the typical El Paso household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in El Paso?

Rent in El Paso has increased 6.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which El Paso neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in El Paso are 79915 ($999/mo), 79905 ($1,025/mo), and 79902 ($1,088/mo). Citywide, the median rent in El Paso is $1,521/mo.

How does El Paso rent compare to other cities in Texas?

El Paso is one of the more affordable cities in Texas for rent, ranking #183 out of 269 tracked cities at $1,521/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than El Paso?

Las Cruces is nearby and more affordable at $1,424/mo, which is $97 less than El Paso.

What percentage of El Paso residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.2% of El Paso households are renters, while 60.8% are owner-occupied. El Paso leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does El Paso rent compare to the national average?

El Paso's median rent of $1,521/mo is $444 (23%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #183 out of 269 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $1,521/mo, rent takes ~31% of El Paso's median household income ($59,745/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

El Paso 31%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the El Paso affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near El Paso, TX

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