Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$50,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$58,824 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$54,353 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $85,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $65,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,000 | $110,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,000 | $138,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,824▲ | $52,469 | +$6,355 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $46,200 | $78,540▲ | -$32,340 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,353▲ | $48,481 | +$5,872 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 16,000 | -11,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $35,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($58,824 vs $52,469 equivalent). El Paso, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.