El Paso’s Pricey Phone Bills — Blame the Texas Tax

If you’ve been shocked by your cell-phone bill lately, you’re not alone. El Paso just ranked 7th most expensive city in America for wireless service, with the average bill topping $200 a month. According to a new report from NumberBarn, El Paso ranks 7th most expensive city in the nation for cell-phone bills averaging a whopping $204.96 per month.

So what’s driving the sky-high costs in a city known for affordable living? One big culprit: Texas’s 17.5% wireless tax burden, among the highest in the nation (for comparison, New Mexico’s state tax burden is 13%). Texas piles on one of the heaviest combined tax loads on wireless service, rivaling places like Illinois and New York.

That means nearly a fifth of your phone bill isn’t for your data, calls, or Netflix scrolls… it’s pure taxes and surcharges. Add in El Paso’s unique geography, a border city with wide coverage zones and cross-border traffic and you’ve got the perfect recipe for inflated prices.

So the next time you wonder why your “$70 unlimited plan” is really $83 or $90 a month, remember: you’re not imagining it, it’s the Texas tax.

👉 If you’re looking to cut costs, consider trying one of the three lowest-cost plans available in El Paso right now — Boost Mobile ($25), Spectrum Mobile ($29.99), or Mint Mobile (as low as $15/month).

Source: NumberBarn — “Cities with the Highest Phone Bills in 2025”