Not all of Texas is the same.

When you first arrive in El Paso, Texas, the most surprising thing is the atmosphere rather than the streets.

Located near the southwestern tip of the United States, it borders New Mexico, and just across the border is Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

It is well-known as one of the "safest major cities" in the U.S.

Despite the common misconception that it might be dangerous due to its proximity to the Mexican border, it consistently ranks among the safest cities in the U.S. with a population of over 500,000.

In the 2025-2026 survey of major U.S. cities, it was listed as one of the few large cities with a crime rate below the national average.

Due to its border region characteristics, federal agents and police are deployed throughout the city, which helps it consistently rank high in livability.

Additionally, it operates on Mountain Time instead of Texas Central Time, which is only one hour different from Pacific Standard Time.

This means that even within the same state, the clock moves an hour differently.

The climate also differs, showing a dry desert climate instead of Texas's humid and hot weather, with hot summers but low humidity and chilly winter days.

These regional characteristics are reflected in rental prices. As of 2026, various rental platforms indicate that the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in El Paso is about $890.

Depending on the platform, it may be reported as $956 or $1,146, but most are in the range of $900 to $1,100.

Based on the data, the current market is realistically moving in the range of $890 to $1,146.

The upward trend in rent is also quite stable. The recent annual increase rate is around 1%, which is lower than the national average.

This indicates a market that moves gradually rather than experiencing sharp rises and falls.

Many analyses predict that the average rent in 2026 will be around $980 to $1,050.

Why is it so stable? The main reason is that the demand base is relatively consistent.

El Paso is home to one of the largest military bases in the U.S., Fort Bliss.

Thousands of active-duty soldiers, their families, civilian employees, and defense contractors continuously flow in, maintaining a steady demand for rentals.

Additionally, the city has a high proportion of federal employees working in customs, federal investigations, immigration, and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

This demand structure is somewhat different from typical manufacturing-centered cities.

It's also interesting to note that the number of retirees is gradually increasing.

El Paso is among the cities with a lower cost of living, and property tax burdens are generally more favorable than in other popular retirement cities.

There are consistent cases of retirees choosing El Paso over Arizona due to its dry climate.

The medical infrastructure is also steadily expanding, increasing interest among older adults considering long-term residency.

Compared to other Texas cities, rent for a 1-bedroom in Austin or Dallas ranges from $1,400 to $1,600, while here it is around $1,000.

Ultimately, El Paso is more of a city that maintains stability rather than one that is rapidly growing.

With soldiers, government employees, and border-related workers creating steady demand, the market does not experience drastic fluctuations.

Even within Texas, the time zone, weather, and character of the city are entirely different.

The rental market also reflects these regional characteristics.

Based on the numbers alone, El Paso can still be considered one of the cities in the U.S. with relatively low housing costs.