Rank #10 · WA
Washington
Washington has no state income tax, but Seattle's tech-driven housing market and high gasoline prices (cap-and-invest program) keep statewide costs well above average. A 7% capital gains tax above $262K applies to high earners.
Cost index
113
Housing index
152.1
Median home
$605K
1BR rent
$1,850
Median income
$90K
Top income tax
0%
Sales tax
6.5%
Avg. gas
$4.34
Cost breakdown by category
All values indexed to 100 = US average.
Housing152.1
Groceries109.5
Utilities79
Transportation109.4
Healthcare117.1
Why Washington is expensive
- 01Seattle/Bellevue tech salaries inflate Puget Sound housing costs.
- 02Cap-and-invest carbon program adds ~$0.40/gal at the pump.
- 03Combined sales tax in Seattle reaches 10.35%.
- 047% tax on long-term capital gains over $262K.
Metro snapshots
Seattle
Median home ~$880K; 1BR rent ~$2,300/mo.
Bellevue
Microsoft-driven market; median home ~$1.45M.
Spokane
Median home ~$395K; cost of living near US average.
More affordable alternatives in Washington
SpokaneYakimaTri-CitiesBellingham
Pro tips
Surviving Washington on a budget
- →Eastern Washington offers cost-of-living parity with the Mountain West.
- →No income tax materially boosts take-home pay vs. neighboring Oregon.
- →WA Cares long-term-care payroll tax (0.58%) — opt-out window has closed for most.