El Paso, TX Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in El Paso, TX: What You Need to Know

El Paso, in the far western part of Texas, enjoys a strategic location conducive to economic and cultural exchanges. It borders southern New Mexico in the U.S. and Ciudad Juarez in Mexico.

Job Opportunities in El Paso

The military is a key driver of the local economy. U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss is based in El Paso. The military base has more than 38,500 active-duty military personnel and over 1,000 reservists. Fort Bliss sprawls across 1.12 million acres of land, with its main post located in El Paso. Training grounds and base camps stretch to New Mexico. Other major employers with headquarters in El Paso are: Western Refining (crude oil refiner and marketer), Fred Loya Insurance (car insurance company), and El Paso Electric (public utility company).

The Cost of Living in El Paso

For a city as big as El Paso (population: 681,728), it’s fairly affordable. Its cost of living is 9.3% lower than the national average. Also, the city’s housing cost is 38.6% lower than the national average. The icing on the cake? Texas doesn’t collect state income taxes. The state’s sales tax rate ranges from 6.25% to 8.25%. Median gross rent in El Paso is $814 while median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $949.

Know Your Neighborhoods

You’ll find high-rise apartments and lofts in downtown El Paso. SunMetro, the city’s streetcar line, services a 4.8-mile route through uptown and downtown areas. If you prefer the suburbs, Vinton has good schools, and it’s close to El Paso. The city borders New Mexico, so don’t limit your choices to Texas. Santa Teresa and Sunland Park in New Mexico are within commuting distance to El Paso. They both have excellent schools and a large percentage of renters. 

The Local History

Spanish explorers called the area El Paso del Norte, meaning the Pass of the North, because it was an important route for them. When Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, what we call the American Southwest today, including El Paso, became part of Mexico. In 1846, Americans defeated the Mexicans at the Battle of El Brazito. The Americans proceeded to El Paso and then invaded Chihuahua. In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo finalized the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico. All territory north of the boundary, including El Paso, became part of the U.S.

Things to Do in El Paso

The El Paso Historic Mission Trail includes landmarks that tell a story spanning 400 years, beginning with the Ysleta Mission, established in 1682. The trail will also take you to the Socorro Mission and the San Elizario Chapel. You’ll appreciate the unique landscape in El Paso when you visit the Centennial Museum and Chihuahua Desert Gardens. Permanent exhibits showcase the Chihuahuan Desert region, the largest desert in North America. There are also temporary exhibits related to border life and culture.