Washington vs Texas: cost of living
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps about $353 more a month in Texas than in Washington after 2026 taxes, rent, electricity, gas, car insurance, health insurance and groceries. Median rent is 19% lower in Texas.
| A month, single filer on $75,000 | Washington | Texas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take-home pay | $5,133 | $5,133 | +$0 |
| Rent (median, incl. utilities the renter pays) | $1,824 | $1,475 | −$349 |
| Electricity (average home bill) | $140 | $174 | +$35 |
| Gas for 1,000 miles a month | $195 | $137 | −$58 |
| Car insurance, full coverage | $184 | $204 | +$20 |
| Health insurance, your share of a job plan (U.S. average) | $139 | $139 | +$0 |
| Groceries (U.S. average household) | $519 | $519 | +$0 |
| Left over after these | $2,132 | $2,484 | +$353 |
Sources: take-home pay from 2026 IRS brackets, SSA wage base and Tax Foundation state rates; rent from Census ACS; electricity from EIA; gas from AAA (1,000 miles at 27.2 mpg); car insurance from Insurify; groceries are the U.S. average household from BLS (2024) in both states. Each figure has its own date, shown on the linked page. Our calculation, a rough guide, not an exact budget.
Compare two states
Same salary in both states, single filer, 2026 taxes. Each cost is that state's average from its own source and date; groceries use the U.S. average in both. Electricity can be partly counted in gross rent. "I own a home" swaps rent for home insurance and property tax but leaves out the mortgage payment. Our calculation, a rough guide.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to live in Washington or Texas?
Texas, by the basics we track. On $75,000 a year, Texas leaves about $353 more a month ($4,232 a year) after 2026 taxes, median rent, electricity, gas, car insurance, health insurance and groceries (our calculation).
What salary in Texas equals $75,000 in Washington?
About $69,000 a year. At that salary a single filer in Texas keeps the same $2,132 a month after taxes and the same basics as $75,000 in Washington (our calculation).
How do taxes compare between Washington and Texas?
Washington has no income tax on wages and Texas has no income tax on wages (Tax Foundation, 2026). On $75,000, take-home pay is about $5,133 a month in Washington and $5,133 in Texas.
How much is rent in Washington vs Texas?
The median rent is $1,824 a month in Washington and $1,475 in Texas (Census ACS).
Planning the move itself? See the full monthly budget for Washington or Texas, and the take-home pay calculators for Washington and Texas.