Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Washington, DC (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Washington

District of Columbia
171

El Paso is 104% cheaper than Washington.

$1,041/mo ↓ 45%
Median Rent
$1,900/mo ↑ 83%
$58,734/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$106,287/yr ↑ 81%
$171,700 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$724,600 ↑ 322%
$1,044/mo ↓ 50%
Owner Costs
$2,103/mo ↑ 101%
678,147
Population
672,079

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.25%
Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.56%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Washington, DC, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 171 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $859/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $10,308/year.

Median household income is $47,553/year higher in Washington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $724,600 in Washington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over District of Columbia's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Washington — common questions

Is El Paso or Washington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 171 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Washington?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Washington it's $1,900/month — a difference of $859/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Washington?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $106,287 in Washington. Median household income is $47,553/year higher in Washington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and District of Columbia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. District of Columbia has 10.75% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.56% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Washington?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Washington has a cost index of 171 with rent of $1,900/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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