Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Tacoma, WA (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Tacoma

Washington
126

El Paso is 47% cheaper than Tacoma.

$1,041/mo ↓ 35%
Median Rent
$1,597/mo ↑ 53%
$58,734/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$83,857/yr ↑ 43%
$171,700 ↓ 62%
Home Value
$454,600 ↑ 165%
$1,044/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,747/mo ↑ 67%
678,147
Population
220,482

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Tacoma, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $556/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $6,672/year.

Median household income is $25,123/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $454,600 in Tacoma.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Tacoma — common questions

Is El Paso or Tacoma cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Tacoma?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Tacoma it's $1,597/month — a difference of $556/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Tacoma?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $83,857 in Tacoma. Median household income is $25,123/year higher in Tacoma.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Washington?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Tacoma?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,597/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Tacoma details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Tacoma

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