Cost of Living: El Paso vs Washington (2026)

El Paso vs Washington cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Washington is about 21% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $121,101 in Washington.

Washington is about 21% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $121,101 in Washington.

El Paso vs Washington: the numbers

MetricEl PasoWashingtonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)90109+21%
Median rent$1,041$1,900+83%
Median home value$171,700$724,600+322%
Median household income$58,734$106,287+81%

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 $121,101 in Washington. Going the other way, $100,000 in Washington is like $82,576 in El Paso.

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

Compare any salary: El Paso vs Washington

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Washington is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 109 vs 90 — a 21% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $121,101 — that's what you'd need in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in El Paso.