Moving from Seattle to El Paso (2026)
El Paso has a COL index of 80 vs 150 for Seattle (100 = US average). You'd pay about 47% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$1,424/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
15080
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$2,400$1,050
per month
State tax
NoneNone
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,741$4,741
per month
Salary needed in El Paso to match your Seattle lifestyle
Based on the 47% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Seattle | Equivalent in El Paso |
|---|---|
| $40K | $21,333 |
| $50K | $26,667 |
| $60K | $32,000 |
| $75K | $40,000 |
| $80K | $42,667 |
| $100K | $53,333 |
| $120K | $64,000 |
| $150K | $80,000 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Seattle vs El Paso
| Expense | Seattle | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,741 | $4,741 |
| 1BR rent | $2,400 | $1,050 |
| Groceries | $410 | $346 |
| Transport | $100 | $40 |
| Utilities | $120 | $175 |
| Internet | $65 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $1,646 | $3,070 |
Frequently asked questions
Is El Paso cheaper than Seattle?
Yes. El Paso has a cost of living index of 80 vs 150 for Seattle (100 = US average). That's about 47% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Seattle to El Paso?
On a $75K salary, moving from Seattle to El Paso could save roughly $1,424/month on core expenses. That's ~$17,088/year.
What salary do I need in El Paso to match my Seattle lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Seattle, you'd need roughly $40,000/year in El Paso. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from El Paso to SeattleSeattle vs El Paso — full comparisonSeattle cost of livingEl Paso cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only