Salary Needed to Live in El Paso as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $44,400/year to live comfortably in El Paso, TX, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $44,400/year to live comfortably in El Paso, TX. The bare-minimum salary is $41,440/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $2,736.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,590/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $3,700/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$44,400
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$41,440
$3,453/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,590
30% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in El Paso
| Expense | El Paso | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $805 | $1,448 | -44% |
| Groceries | $178 | $189 | -6% |
| Utilities | $123 | $183 | -33% |
| Transportation | $141 | $211 | -33% |
| Car Insurance | $166 | $223 | -26% |
| Health Insurance | $515 | $672 | -23% |
| Medicare Supplement | $172 | $200 | -14% |
| Prescription Drugs | $129 | $150 | -14% |
| Internet + Phone | $103 | $120 | -14% |
| Recreation & Social | $172 | $200 | -14% |
| Home Maintenance | $86 | $100 | -14% |
| Total Monthly | $2,590 | $3,696 | -30% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,590
Target savings (5%):$146/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$2,736
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$44,400
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$805
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 31% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus TX state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$146/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
86/100
El Paso is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br senior-friendly housing near $805/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $662/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $41,440/year as the survival floor and $44,400/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in El Paso
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in El Paso?
A retiree needs approximately $44,400/year ($3,700/month gross) to live comfortably in El Paso with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in El Paso?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in El Paso costs approximately $805/month, which is the largest single expense at 31% of the total budget.
Is El Paso affordable for a retiree?
Yes, El Paso is 30% more affordable than the national average for a retiree.