Apartments for Rent in El Paso, TX - 71 Rentals available

Renter's Guide to El Paso

If you look at a map, you'll find El Paso resting right on the border of Texas and Mexico.

But it's not just its location that makes this city so unique. El Paso boasts a low cost of living, some of the best parks in the country, and is also one of the most walkable cities, with tons of sidewalks around town.

Combined with being one of the safest big cities in the country and El Paso's great school and library systems, this city is an excellent place for both families and singles. It ranks 9^th among US cities for quality of living, and is considered the best city in Texas for recreation and raising a family.

El Paso is 256 square miles wide, which is pretty sizeable. But it's still only half the size of Phoenix and Houston. Speaking of Phoenix, it's 430 miles away from El Paso. Tucson, AZ is 316 miles away, and Houston, TX is 551 miles away.

El Paso has a desert climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Nicknamed The Sun City, El Paso has over 300 days of sunshine and 100 days with temperatures of over 90°F per year, though the city does get a decent amount of rain in the summer months.

However, the rest of the year is pretty dry, and you can even get dust storms during the spring. El Paso sits up to 3,800 feet above sea level, which means snow is not uncommon in the colder months either.

Cost of Living in El Paso, TX

Wondering how much it costs to live in El Paso? Well, for starters, dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $35. If you're just having a coffee date, cappuccinos will run you about $3.50 each.

For utilities, you can expect to pay around $125 per month for a 915-square-foot apartment. Keep in mind that the nationwide average is $147.

El Paso also has award-winning public transportation, courtesy of Sun Metro Mass Transit System. Fares are $1.50 for adults and $1.00 for students and children.

Living in El Paso

What are the pros and cons of living in El Paso?

First off, you've got good weather and great food options, plus the cost of living is very affordable. Not only is the city close to Mexico, it's got a majority Hispanic population—that means plenty of tacos and margaritas!

And of course you're surrounded by some beautiful nature, with the nearby mountains providing a splendid backdrop. El Paso is a great city to walk around in too, with plenty of sidewalks around.

On the other hand, El Paso is fairly isolated. The closest major cities are all over 250 miles away in either direction. There aren't a lot of non-stop flights out of El Paso either.

Things to do in El Paso

Whether you're in El Paso for the weekend or a lifetime, you'll need some stuff to do.

Let's start with one of El Paso's biggest attractions: nature. Have an adventure at Franklin Mountain State Park—and make sure to try the Wyler Aerial Tramway while you're at it. Or explore the ancient rock carvings at Hueco Tanks State Historic Site.

If you're really adventurous, why not try rafting down the Rio Grande River?

The kids will love the El Paso Zoo and the Wet N' Wild water park, while teens skate at Westside Community Park or play sports at Yucca Park.

Of course, you can always just stroll around town, taking in the sites. El Paso ranks as one of the most walkable cities in the country and has plenty of sidewalks.

Sports fans won't want to miss the Sun Bowl, which has been played in El Paso every year since 1937. It's college football's second oldest bowl game.

There's also UTEP's local college games, plus the El Paso Chihuahuas minor league baseball team.

El Paso also hosts a few events that music and culture lovers will definitely want to check out, which includes the Sun City Music Festival and the Neon Desert Music Festival.

Working in El Paso, TX

El Paso's major industries include education, manufacturing, defense, and food production/agriculture. Call centers are among the biggest employers, along with the military installation, Fort Bliss.

Forbes also placed El Paso among the top 5 cities nationwide for its cost of doing business, which makes it a great location for small businesses and startups.

Top Colleges in El Paso, TX

If you want to further your education while living in El Paso, you've got a few really good options.

The University of Texas at El Paso – or UTEP, for short – regularly ranks among the top 10 colleges in the country.

There's also an El Paso branch of the Texas Tech University College of Architecture, as well as Texas University Health Sciences Center El Paso, which is now its own school within the TTU system.

Two-year students will want to check out the El Paso Community College.

For the high schoolers, there are four public school districts that operate in El Paso, plus at least a dozen private schools to choose from. The city also has top-rated public libraries, which is great for bookworms young and old.

Tips for Renting in El Paso

If you've got your heart set on becoming an El Paso resident, you'll probably want to know a little about the tenant laws there.

For starters, when applying for a lease, landlords are required to provide a written copy of their eligibility criteria. If they don't, they'll have to return your application fee and/or deposit if your application is rejected. This saves you from wasting money applying for rentals that you're not eligible for.

You can only be charged a late fee for past due rent if it's written into your lease agreement. Landlords are also required to give you a grace period of at least one full business day after rent is due before they assess a late fee.