Cost of Living: El Paso vs Seattle (2026)

El Paso vs Seattle cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Seattle is about 24% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $123,602 in Seattle.

Seattle is about 24% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $123,602 in Seattle.

El Paso vs Seattle: the numbers

MetricEl PasoSeattleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)90111+24%
Median rent$1,041$1,998+92%
Median home value$171,700$912,100+431%
Median household income$58,734$121,984+108%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in El Paso has the same buying power as about $123,602 in Seattle. Going the other way, $100,000 in Seattle is like $80,905 in El Paso.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between El Paso and Seattle.

Compare any salary: El Paso vs Seattle

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 111 vs 90 — a 24% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $123,602 — that's what you'd need in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in El Paso.