on $100k a year, leaving Washington

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El Paso, TX cityscape

from washington

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

$1,587

below Washington's monthly cost

El Paso sits well below Washington on cost. Same paycheck, a noticeably lighter month.
landable, recorded on the el paso entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,473/mo

37% cheaper than Washington(vs $2,352/mo)

02state income tax

0%

$708/mo less in state tax than Washington

vs 8.5% in Washington

03after rent

$6,860/mo

$1,587 more than Washington

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

04a house here

$231k

63% cheaper than Washington

vs $626k in Washington

05metro size

872k

vs 6.3M in Washington

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

222

pleasant days a year, in el paso.

Washington only manages 177 of those. The trade is summer: 60 days above 95°, vs 4 in Washington.

Noticeably quieter than Washington. About 81% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

65/100

25% lower than Washington

vs 87/100 in Washington

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

·walk score®

93/100

5% lower than Washington

vs 98/100 in Washington

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

13

92% fewer than Washington

vs 160 nonstops in Washington

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