As one of the best places to live in Texas, El Paso occupies a geographically striking position, tucked between the Franklin Mountains, the Rio Grande, the New Mexico state line, and the Mexican state of Chihuahua with a cross-border identity that shapes its food, architecture, and pace of life.
Renters are also drawn to El Paso for its affordability. The cost of living and housing costs both run below the national average, and it’s home to major employers like Fort Bliss, the University of Texas at El Paso, and the Medical Center of the Americas.
Whether you're drawn to the energy of downtown, the mountain-view corridors that are perfect for outdoor recreation on the West Side, or the newer residential pockets near Fort Bliss, El Paso has a neighborhood to match your lifestyle. We've rounded up five of the best neighborhoods for renters based on rental availability, average rent, and proximity to points of interest to help you zero in on the right fit.
The five best neighborhoods in El Paso for renters are:
Mesa Hills
- Average 1-bedroom rent in El Paso: $995/month
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Mesa Hills: $1,269/month
- Average 1-bedroom size in Mesa Hills: 721 sq. ft.
Why Mesa Hills is good for renters
Mesa Hills sits on El Paso's upper West Side, perched at an elevation that puts the Franklin Mountains practically in your backyard. The neighborhood offers some of the most direct access to Franklin Mountains State Park, one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. that’s completely within city limits, making it a natural draw for hikers and mountain bikers who want trailheads close to home.
Sunland Park Mall and a dense stretch of retail along Transmountain Road and Mesa Street keep everyday errands within easy reach, and the area's apartment communities tend to offer spacious floor plans at prices that stay competitive with the rest of the city. I-10 access to the west and US-54 to the north make commuting across El Paso's sprawling footprint manageable.
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Fairly Walkable |
Limited Public Transit |
Exceptionally Drivable |
Fairly Bikeable |
50Mesa Hills has a walkability score of 50 out of 100. |
30Mesa Hills has a transit score of 30 out of 100. |
90Mesa Hills has a drivability score of 90 out of 100. |
40Mesa Hills has a bikeability score of 40 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
Mesa Hills is a car-dependent area, and most daily trips, from grocery runs to dining out, will require driving. Renters who prefer walkable street life may find the neighborhood's suburban layout less suited to that lifestyle.
Cielo Vista
- Average 1-bedroom rent in El Paso: $995/month
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Cielo Vista: $887/month
- Average 1-bedroom size in Cielo Vista: 711 sq. ft.
Why Cielo Vista is good for renters
Cielo Vista is one of El Paso's most centrally connected neighborhoods, positioned along the I-10 corridor on the city's east-central side. It technically is comprised of three neighborhoods that are grouped together into the one area: Cielo Vista North, South, and East.
The area surrounds Cielo Vista Mall and a well-established retail and dining corridor that includes everything from national chains to local Tex-Mex staples, putting a wide range of day-to-day conveniences within a short drive. The neighborhood's apartment communities offer close proximity to the amenities nearby, and its central location makes it one of the more practical bases for reaching multiple parts of the city without a long commute. El Paso International Airport is also just minutes away, a real plus for renters who travel frequently.
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Moderately Walkable |
Good Public Transit |
Exceptionally Drivable |
Fairly Bikeable |
60Cielo Vista has a walkability score of 60 out of 100. |
60Cielo Vista has a transit score of 60 out of 100. |
90Cielo Vista has a drivability score of 90 out of 100. |
50Cielo Vista has a bikeability score of 50 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
Cielo Vista is a high-traffic area, particularly along Airway Boulevard and the corridors near the mall, so renters sensitive to road noise or congestion during peak hours should factor that into their search.
Downtown El Paso
- Average 1-bedroom rent in El Paso: $995/month
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Downtown El Paso: $722/month
- Average 1-bedroom size in Downtown El Paso: 448 sq. ft.
Why Downtown El Paso is good for renters
Downtown El Paso is one of the few neighborhoods where you can realistically run errands, grab a meal, or catch a show without getting in a car. The El Paso Streetcar connects downtown to UTEP and the Kern Place area, and Sun Metro bus routes radiate outward from here across the metro.
San Jacinto Plaza anchors the core with green space and frequent community events, while the Plaza Theatre, Abraham Chavez Theatre, and the El Paso Museum of Art give the area a cultural density that no other neighborhood in the city matches. Renters who want loft-style apartments and historic building character will find their best options here.
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Fairly Walkable |
Some Public Transit |
Very Drivable |
Fairly Bikeable |
50Downtown El Paso has a walkability score of 50 out of 100. |
50Downtown El Paso has a transit score of 50 out of 100. |
80Downtown El Paso has a drivability score of 80 out of 100. |
50Downtown El Paso has a bikeability score of 50 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
Downtown El Paso is still actively developing, and some blocks feel more polished than others. Renters should tour the immediate area around any listing to get a clear sense of the block-by-block character.
Stonehaven
- Average 1-bedroom rent in El Paso: $995/month
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Stonehaven: $910/month
- Average 1-bedroom size in Stonehaven: 656 sq. ft.
Why Stonehaven is good for renters
Stonehaven is a quieter, established neighborhood on El Paso's east side that offers a more residential feel without sacrificing convenience. The area sits close to major east-side retail corridors and provides easy access to I-10, making it a practical option for renters who work on the east side of the city or need a straightforward route to the airport.
The neighborhood's housing stock leans toward well-maintained garden-style apartment communities and single-family rental homes, giving renters a range of options at prices that align with El Paso's overall affordability. The pace is noticeably calmer than the central corridors, which suits renters looking for a low-key home base.
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Moderately Walkable |
Limited Public Transit |
Exceptionally Drivable |
Somewhat Bikeable |
70Stonehaven has a walkability score of 70 out of 100. |
30Stonehaven has a transit score of 30 out of 100. |
90Stonehaven has a drivability score of 90 out of 100. |
30Stonehaven has a bikeability score of 30 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
While you can walk around Stonehaven itself, getting to other parts of El Paso definitely requires driving or using public transit. Renters without a personal vehicle will want to check Sun Metro route access.
Northeast El Paso
- Average 1-bedroom rent in El Paso: $995/month
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Northeast El Paso: $1,268/month
- Average 1-bedroom size in Northeast El Paso: 755 sq. ft.
Why Northeast El Paso is good for renters
Northeast El Paso stretches across the city's northernmost border, where Texas meets New Mexico. Steady residential development has brought newer apartment communities with modern finishes at rents in line with the city average, and the area's position along US-54 keeps it well connected to the rest of the city, with El Paso International Airport just a short drive away.
Open desert terrain and sweeping mountain views define the landscape, with Franklin Mountains State Park running along the western edge and sizeable neighborhood parks throughout, putting hiking and outdoor recreation right at residents' doorstep. Small shopping centers and strip malls scattered across the area keep groceries, restaurants, and everyday errands within easy reach.
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Somewhat Walkable |
Exceptionally Drivable |
20Northeast El Paso has a walkability score of 20 out of 100. |
100Northeast El Paso has a drivability score of 100 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
Like most of El Paso's outer neighborhoods, Northeast El Paso is heavily car-dependent, and the area's more spread-out layout means that non-driving errands are limited. Traffic along US-54 during peak hours can also add time to daily commutes.
Ready to Make the Move?
El Paso's combination of affordability, sunshine, and geography makes it one of the more compelling rental markets in Texas, and finding the right neighborhood is the first step to making it home. Whether you're looking for a loft near the Plaza Theatre in downtown, a spacious apartment with Franklin Mountain views in Mesa Hills, or a newer community close to Fort Bliss in the northeast, Apartments.com has the listings, filters, and search tools to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Use Apartments.com to filter by price, bedroom count, pet policy, amenities, and more; all with up-to-date availability and verified listing details. Start your search today and find the El Paso apartment community that fits your life.
FAQs
Is El Paso a good place to live?
El Paso is a strong choice for renters who want affordability, a warm climate, and a city with a distinct cultural identity. With over 300 days of sunshine annually, easy access to outdoor recreation in Franklin Mountains State Park, and a cost of living roughly 12 percent below the national average, the city offers a quality of life that's hard to match at its price point. Major employers like Fort Bliss, UTEP, and the Medical Center of the Americas provide a stable economic foundation.
Is El Paso an expensive place to live?
El Paso's overall cost of living sits about 12.3 percent below the national average. Housing is the biggest driver of savings, coming in approximately 32 percent below the national benchmark. Groceries, utilities, and healthcare also run below average, while transportation costs are slightly above the national norm, reflecting the city's car-dependent layout. For renters, estimated basic monthly expenses average around $4,132.
Overall, El Paso remains one of the more budget-friendly Sun Belt cities to call home, especially for renters looking to stretch their income further than they could in comparable Texas metros. If you're on a tight budget, there are plenty of affordable neighborhoods in El Paso to start your search.
What’s the average rent in El Paso?
The average 1-bedroom rent in El Paso is approximately $995/month, with rents rising about 2.5 percent year over year. Studios average around $777/month, 2-bedrooms average $1,153/month, and 3-bedrooms come in around $1,420/month. Across all unit types, most renters can expect to find options in the $774–$1,430 range.
What salary do you need to live in El Paso?
Based on our local cost of living data, a single person without dependents in El Paso would generally need a pre-tax income of roughly $65,000 to comfortably afford essentials like housing, utilities, groceries, and everyday goods and services.
