Washington vs Texas
A side-by-side comparison of Washington and Texas — taxes, housing, income, and cost of living — with a salary-equivalence calculator for anyone considering the move.
Take-home pay on $100,000
Washington
$79,180/yr take-home
$6,598/mo · 20.8% effective tax
- Federal tax
- $13,170
- State tax (None)
- $0
- FICA
- $7,650
Texas
$79,180/yr take-home
$6,598/mo · 20.8% effective tax
- Federal tax
- $13,170
- State tax (None)
- $0
- FICA
- $7,650
The numbers
Monthly cost of living · renting
Salary equivalence
$100,000 in Washington buys the same lifestyle as $89,538 in Texas
For a household of 1 adult, renting. Texas's cost of living is 90.7% of Washington's, and the figure accounts for both states' income taxes. Home price is an asset; this compares monthly living cost. An estimate, not financial advice.
Washington vs Texas: what the numbers say
Thinking about moving from Washington to Texas? Here's how the two states line up on the numbers that shape your budget. On state income tax, Washington is None and Texas is None.
Housing is usually the biggest factor. A typical home costs $603,870 in Washington versus $302,550 in Texas — Texas is cheaper by about $301,320. Overall cost of living runs $3,959 a month in Washington and $3,591 in Texas for a single adult, and the typical household earns $99,389 versus $79,721.
Because prices differ, the same paycheck stretches differently: Texas's cost of living is about 90.7% of Washington's. Use the calculator above to see exactly what your Washington salary would need to be in Texas to keep the same lifestyle, taxes included.
Income matters too, not just costs. The typical household earns $99,389 in Washington versus $79,721 in Texas, so a state that looks pricier on paper can still come out ahead if local pay is higher. That's why the salary-equivalence figure — which folds in both taxes and cost of living — is a better guide for a move than any single cost-of-living index on its own.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Washington or Texas?
- Texas has the lower typical monthly cost of living for a single adult. The table above breaks down housing, taxes, and more, and the calculator shows the salary equivalence between the two.
- What salary do I need in Texas to match Washington?
- It depends on your current salary and filing status. Enter them in the calculator above to see the Texas salary that preserves your Washington purchasing power after taxes and cost-of-living differences.
Explore further
Dig into either state on its own, or compare a different pair.
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