Let's follow the story of a couple considering a move after retirement from another state. They began their search for a place to live in El Paso, near the border, by touring model homes in an Active Adult Community (typically a housing complex for residents aged 55 and older). They were drawn to a community with a golf course, clubhouse, and swimming pool, but they also had to weigh the monthly maintenance fees against the cost of the single-family homes they had been considering.

The advantages are as follows. Active Adult Communities often include maintenance for lawn care, exterior painting, and roof repairs within the community fees, and they offer community facilities where residents can socialize with neighbors of the same age. On the downside, there are fixed monthly HOA fees, and the living space is often smaller than that of single-family homes.

This investigation did not provide specific data comparing the median prices of single-family homes to condos and townhomes in El Paso. However, it is worth noting that in the broader Texas metropolitan area, townhomes and condos typically have higher HOA fees than single-family homes, but they also tend to have lower maintenance burdens.

When discussing cooling costs, El Paso has a desert climate, leading to high demand for air conditioning in the summer. According to El Paso Electric rate data, bills in 2026 significantly increased compared to 2025. For a household using 822 kilowatt-hours per month, the bill rose from $120.84 in 2025 to $145.84 in 2026, a 21 percent increase without any change in usage (based on reports from KFOX and El Paso Matters). From May to October, the first 600 kilowatt-hours are charged at about 13 cents, and anything above that is charged at about 14 cents, with fixed fees increasing from $9 to $13.71. According to EnergySage, the average electric bill in El Paso is $209 per month, with rates around 12 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Winter heating in El Paso is relatively mild compared to other major Texas cities, but it is worth noting that due to the desert climate, there can be significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, so there is some demand for heating.

The property tax rate in El Paso County is 1.73 percent, which is among the highest of the major counties in Texas (according to SmartAsset data). However, for those aged 65 and older, there is a benefit where $200,000 is exempt from school property tax, combining the general homestead exemption of $140,000 and the over-65 exemption of $60,000, and the school property tax is frozen based on the year they turn 65 (as per the passage of SB23 in November 2025). The impact of this exemption is more significant in areas with higher property tax rates.

Maintaining a single-family home allows for more space and freedom, but homeowners must bear the costs of yard maintenance and replacing aging systems themselves. Active Adult Communities reduce maintenance burdens, but they come with fixed monthly HOA fees, and some may have additional facility usage fees upon moving in, which should be confirmed.

The couple's inquiries at the model home ultimately revolved around this point. They wanted to know how much lawn and exterior maintenance was included in the monthly HOA fees, whether there were separate clubhouse usage fees, and how long they could cover these costs with the proceeds from selling their current single-family home. In a fixed income situation after retirement, knowing the predictability of monthly expenses can be a more critical factor than a sudden large expense.

• Single-family home - full maintenance responsibility, more space, low or no HOA
• Active Adult Community - includes lawn and exterior maintenance, access to community facilities like a clubhouse, fixed monthly HOA expenses
• Condos, townhomes - lower maintenance burden than single-family homes, HOA costs vary by community

The figures discussed in this article are based on data available at the time of writing, and actual HOA and facility usage fees should be verified directly. This is not investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to consult with professionals before making any agreements.