$100k salary, packing up from Memphis

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El Paso, TX cityscape

next stop after memphis

El Paso

tx · metro 872k

photo: Gene Maysonet / pexels

a dispatch from

el paso

TX

31.76°N

106.49°W

El Paso has the Franklin Mountains running right through the middle of the city (which is rare), with hiking trails inside city limits and the desert wide open just past the suburbs. The Mexican food is exceptional in ways that the rest of Texas doesn't quite match (it's true regional border food). Ciudad Juarez is literally next door across the Rio Grande. The light at sunset is unreal.

metro872k

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$37

the monthly premium over Memphis

El Paso edges out a little pricier. Close enough that the decision rides on the days, not the dollars.
landable, recorded on the el paso entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,473/mo

3% more expensive than Memphis(vs $1,436/mo)

02state income tax

0%

vs 0% in Memphis

03after rent

$6,860/mo

$37 less than Memphis

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$231k

5% cheaper than Memphis

vs $244k in Memphis

05metro size

872k

vs 1.3M in Memphis

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

222

pleasant days a year, in el paso.

Memphis keeps to 185 pleasant days a year. The trade is summer: 60 days above 95°, vs 6 in Memphis.

On par with Memphis for events and shows.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

65/100

16% higher than Memphis

vs 56/100 in Memphis

Closest outdoor draw: White Sands National Park, 72.1 mi.

·walk score®

93/100

4% higher than Memphis

vs 89/100 in Memphis

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

13

59% fewer than Memphis

vs 32 nonstops in Memphis

04 · see also

if el paso appeals, also worth a look:

see also

roanoke

more things to do

turn the page

see also

lexington

more things to do

turn the page

see also

huntsville

more things to do

turn the page

compare el paso with:

RoanokeLexingtonHuntsville