Cost of Living Comparison Between Salem, OR and El Paso, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Salem, OR and El Paso, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,698 per month in Salem, OR vs $2,119 in El Paso, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,898 per month in Salem, OR vs $3,227 in El Paso, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,098 per month in Salem, OR vs $4,334 in El Paso, TX, rent included.

Salem, OR costs about 27% more than El Paso, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Salem, OR and El Paso, TX sit above the global median – Salem, OR by 102%, El Paso, TX by 59%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.58 $17.58

$18.76 $18.76

-6.29%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.9 $88.9

$70.7 $70.7

25.82%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.83 $9.83

$12.09 $12.09

-18.69%

Cappuccino

$4.46 $4.46

$6.44 $6.44

-30.75%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.63 $2.63

$2.88 $2.88

-8.68%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.01 $2.01

$1.87 $1.87

7.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.76 $4.76

$5.08 $5.08

-6.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.10 $7.10

$5.93 $5.93

19.73%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.84 $0.84

25.00%

White Bread (500g)

$3.96 $3.96

$2.50 $2.50

58.40%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.85 $3.85

$2.50 $2.50

54.00%

Eggs

$4.73 $4.73

$3.71 $3.71

27.49%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.97 $16.97

$11.46 $11.46

48.08%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.92 $12.92

$11.42 $11.42

13.13%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.67 $16.67

$12.18 $12.18

36.86%

Apples (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$4.04 $4.04

3.47%

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 $1.47

$1.32 $1.32

11.36%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.67 $3.67

$4.15 $4.15

-11.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.75 $3.75

$4.34 $4.34

-13.59%

Potato (1kg)

$2.06 $2.06

$3.48 $3.48

-40.80%

Onion (1kg)

$2.07 $2.07

$2.98 $2.98

-30.54%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.97 $1.97

$2.21 $2.21

-10.86%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.54 $1.54

11.04%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.61 $10.61

$12.15 $12.15

-12.67%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$8.22 $8.22

79.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.67 $1.67

$2.05 $2.05

-18.54%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$4.72 $4.72

-37.29%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.53 $1.53

10.46%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.52 $40.52

$48.03 $48.03

-15.64%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.55 $3.55

$1.66 $1.66

113.86%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.26 $1.26

$1.41 $1.41

-10.64%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$40.39 $40.39

$27.52 $27.52

46.77%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.01 $1.01

$0.77 $0.77

31.17%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$27.6K $27.6K

$23.2K $23.2K

19.16%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.9K $24.9K

$25.7K $25.7K

-3.34%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$273 $273

$164 $164

66.45%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$55.6 $55.6

$64.5 $64.5

-13.80%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.2 $77.2

$72.5 $72.5

6.41%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$54.2 $54.2

$25.42 $25.42

113.22%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.97 $7.97

Cinema Ticket

$13.09 $13.09

$11.66 $11.66

12.26%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,322 $1,322

$586 $586

125.72%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.2K $23.2K

$7,041 $7,041

230.05%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.23 $45.23

$40.48 $40.48

11.73%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$43.90 $43.90

17.77%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.2 $85.2

$98.3 $98.3

-13.27%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.7 $80.7

$173 $173

-53.29%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,518 $1,518

$1,056 $1,056

43.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,372 $1,372

$894 $894

53.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,850 $2,850

$1,695 $1,695

68.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,140 $2,140

$1,630 $1,630

31.28%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,016 $3,016

$1,784 $1,784

69.07%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,083 $3,083

$1,789 $1,789

72.35%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,810 $3,810

$3,268 $3,268

16.58%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.55

6.51

0.61%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Salem, OR: July 19, 2026

Last update for El Paso, TX: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,518 in Salem, OR versus $1,056 in El Paso, TX. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 17% higher in Salem, OR, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Salem, OR versus $71.0 in El Paso, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $396 vs $332 – making El Paso, TX the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Salem, OR vs El Paso, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Salem, OR costs about 27% more than El Paso, TX, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,047 per month in Salem, OR and $3,179 in El Paso, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in El Paso, TX, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,698 in Salem, OR and $2,119 in El Paso, TX. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 19% less in El Paso, TX. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in El Paso, TX, where all-in costs run around $2,119, than in Salem, OR at $2,698. In El Paso, TX it covers expenses comfortably, while in Salem, OR it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward El Paso, TX – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with El Paso, TX. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Salem, OR makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.