Meta El Paso data center workforce housing
Last updated 2026-10-19 · Facts as published by the sources listed below. We are not affiliated with this project.
Project facts
| Location | El Paso area, El Paso County · El Paso & Far West Texas |
|---|---|
| Owner | Meta [1] |
| Size | 1 GW by 2028, more than $10 billion [2] |
| Workforce | More than 4,000 skilled trades at peak; more than 2,300 on site by June 2026 [3] |
Where crews live today
El Paso hotels and rentals
A large market, at the GSA standard rate for FY2027.
Option 3: own your beds
Hotels, RV parks, and operator camps are all rentals. The third option is to own crew units on land you lease or buy near the work, then move or resell them at the end. Three things decide whether it works:
Land
A level, drained site with truck access for 16 ft wide loads. Leased ranch or industrial land near the gate is common.
Permits: city vs. county
Inside El Paso city limits, zoning and any RV park or temporary housing ordinance apply first, so start with the city planning office. Outside city limits, El Paso County has more limited zoning power, but on-site sewage facilities (septic) need permits under TCEQ rules administered locally, subdivision or plat rules can apply, and fire and road access still matter. Housing three or more workers for more than three days can also trigger a TDHCA Migrant Labor Housing Facility license in some cases; ask counsel how it applies to your crew.
Utilities
Water (city, well, or hauled), wastewater (sewer, septic, or holding tanks), and power service sized for every room’s PTAC and water heater. See what a camp needs.
Cost comparison
| Option | Published cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel at the GSA El Paso County (standard rate) rate | $113 / night ≈ $3,435 / month per worker | Federal FY2027 lodging rate; actual rates rise with demand |
| Operator camp | Contract rate per bed | Often bundled services and multi-year minimums |
| Owned crew units | Run the calculator | Units, freight and set, site work, minus resale. See cost per bed |
Planning mix
- Traveling crew of 40: 8 × 5-bed crew units on leased land
Units: 16×76 5-Bed, 5-Bath Crew Unit (Shared Kitchen)16×76 5-Room Sleeper (No Kitchen)7-Room High-Density Sleeper16×76 4-Suite Unit (Four Full Kitchens)
Delivery
El Paso is about 528 miles from Seguin, TX in a straight line; road miles are longer. Units travel as 16 ft wide oversize loads with permits. Delivery lead time depends on whether units are in stock or need a build slot. Ask us for a current timeline to El Paso County.
Common questions
How many workers are building Meta’s El Paso data center?
Meta expects more than 4,000 skilled trades at peak; more than 2,300 were on site by June 2026.
How fast can crew units be set up near El Paso?
Units can be delivered once pads, access, and utilities are ready, and site work usually sets the schedule. Lead times depend on stock and build slots; ask us for a current timeline.
Can I own crew housing near El Paso instead of renting?
Yes, if you can lease or buy land and permit it. Compare owning with hotels at the GSA rate ($113 a night) in the break-even calculator.
Sources
- Meta Data Centers, “Big things are happening, El Paso!” (Mar 2026)
- CNBC, Meta to spend $10 billion on AI data center in El Paso, 1GW by 2028 (Mar 26, 2026)
- Meta letter to El Paso City Council (via KVIA) (Jun 9, 2026)
Last updated 2026-10-19. Figures are as published by each source on the date shown; re-check before you budget.
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