Relocating to Washington: state taxes and costs

Relocating to Washington: state taxes, residency rules and cost of living

Official figures for Washington: state income tax, capital gains, estate and inheritance tax, sales tax and the residency test, with rents, home values, price levels and safety from federal statistics.

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NoneTop state income tax rate

6.5%State sales tax rate

$1,873Median gross rent per month

107.0Price level (US = 100)

The short answer

What does it cost to live in Washington?

Washington state income tax: No state income tax on wages. Median gross rent is $1,873 per month and the price level is 107.0 against a US average of 100. Sales, estate and inheritance taxes and the residency rule are set out below with their sources.

Evidence: Official source · Machine-readable data · As of 30 October 2026

State tax rules

State taxes in Washington

Each rule below is read from the Washington revenue department or statute and checked against an independent table. Local taxes are not included.

State income tax: No state income tax on wages
Source
Capital gains: Washington levies no tax on wages but taxes long-term capital gains with a 7% excise on the first $1 million of taxable gains and 9.9% in total (7% plus a 2.9% surcharge) above $1 million, from tax year 2025.
Source
Estate tax: Washington levies an estate tax.
Source
Estate tax exemption: $3,000,000
Source
Sales tax: Statewide rate 6.5%; local rates may be added
Source

State level only. Local income taxes (for example city or county taxes) and local sales taxes are added on top where they exist.

Cost of living

Housing, prices and safety in Washington

Housing, prices and safety in Washington
Metric	Value
Median gross rent per month	$1,873
Median home value	$605,600
Property tax as a share of home value	0.81%
Median real estate taxes paid per year	$4,911
Median household income	$101,946
Price level (US = 100)	107.0
Housing price level (US = 100)	126.0
Residential electricity price	14.42 cents per kWh

Rent, home value, property tax and income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Electricity: EIA, year to date through August 2026.

Move comparisons

Moves to and from Washington

California to Washington

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Questions

Living in Washington: common questions

Does Washington have a state income tax?

Washington state income tax: No state income tax on wages. Federal income tax applies in addition, as in every state.

What is the sales tax in Washington?

The statewide sales tax rate in Washington is 6.5%. Counties and cities may add local rates.

How much does housing cost in Washington?

In Washington the median gross rent is $1,873 per month and the median value of an owner-occupied home is $605,600, according to the Census Bureau American Community Survey 2025.

Information, not tax or legal advice. Rates are statutory state rates for the stated year; local income, sales and property taxes, deductions and federal tax are not included. Statistics are the latest official releases for the year shown. Confirm your own position with the state revenue department or a tax adviser.