Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,170 in Texas versus $1,858 in Washington. Overall, Texas runs roughly 37% cheaper on rent than Washington, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $67,043 in Texas and $121,984 in Washington — about 45% higher in Washington. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.25%
6.5%
+0.3 pp in Washington
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,170
$1,858
+59% in Washington
Median Home Value
$264,900
$912,100
+244% in Washington
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$67,043
$121,984
+82% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
67.2°F
53.5°F
+13.7°F in Texas
Texas vs Washington — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Texas or Washington?
- Texas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,170 runs about 37% below Washington's $1,858, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Texas than in Washington?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Texas versus $74,000 in Washington.
- Which has lower taxes, Texas or Washington?
- Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 8/1 cities we track in Texas/Washington — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.