Moving to Washington: What You Need to Know
Washington state is a tech powerhouse with no state income tax, making it a magnet for high-earning professionals. Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, Starbucks, and Costco are all headquartered here, creating one of the most robust job markets in the country. The Seattle metro has become one of the most expensive in America, with median home prices around $750,000, but the no-income-tax benefit can save high earners $15,000–$40,000+ per year compared to California. Eastern Washington (Spokane, Tri-Cities) offers dramatically more affordable living with a completely different climate and lifestyle.
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Cost of Living in Washington
Median Home Price
$580,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750/mo
Avg Local Move
$1,150
Avg Long-Distance Move
$5,100
Taxes in Washington
| Tax Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| State Income Tax | None (7% capital gains tax on gains over $250,000) |
| Effective Property Tax | 0.87% |
| State Sales Tax | 6.5% + local up to 4% |
Job Market & Economy
Washington Climate & Weather
Western Washington is mild and rainy with cloudy winters and dry summers. Eastern Washington has four distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters. Seattle averages 152 rainy days but only 37 inches of rain -- less than NYC.
Best Cities to Move to in Washington
Pros and Cons of Living in Washington
Pros
- +No state income tax
- +World-class tech job market anchored by Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing
- +Stunning natural beauty from mountains to coastline to rainforests
- +Mild, temperate climate in western Washington
Cons
- -Very high housing costs, especially in the Seattle-Bellevue metro
- -High sales tax rates (up to 10.5% in Seattle)
- -Gray, rainy winters in western Washington cause seasonal depression
- -New capital gains tax on high earners signals potential future tax changes
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to move to Washington?
A local move within the Seattle metro averages $1,000–$1,800. Moving from California to Washington (very common) costs $2,000–$4,500. Cross-country moves to Washington typically run $4,000–$8,000. Seattle apartment moves often require building scheduling, COI, and elevator reservations.
Can I afford to live in Seattle?
Seattle is expensive. Median home prices in the city are around $750,000, and Bellevue/Eastside exceeds $1 million. However, tech salaries in Seattle are among the highest in the country ($150,000–$300,000+ for senior engineers) with no state income tax. Tacoma (30 min south) offers median home prices around $450,000. Everett and Marysville to the north are more affordable. Many residents rent initially -- average rent for a 1-bedroom in Seattle is $2,000–$2,500.
How does eastern Washington compare to Seattle?
Eastern Washington is a completely different world. Spokane has a median home price around $380,000 with four seasons, 300 days of sunshine, and a growing outdoor recreation scene. The Tri-Cities (Richland, Kennewick, Pasco) are affordable and growing with DOE (Hanford) and agriculture jobs. The lifestyle is more suburban/rural, the politics more conservative, and the cost of living dramatically lower. It's separated from Seattle by the Cascade Range.
Does Washington really have no income tax?
Washington has no traditional state income tax on wages. However, in 2022 the state implemented a 7% capital gains tax on gains exceeding $250,000 per year (excluding real estate and retirement accounts). This primarily affects high-net-worth individuals selling stocks or businesses. For most W-2 employees, Washington remains a true no-income-tax state. The trade-off is high sales tax (up to 10.5% in Seattle) and a B&O tax on businesses.
What is the weather really like in Seattle?
Seattle's reputation for rain is somewhat misleading. The city gets only 37 inches of rain per year -- less than New York, Miami, or Atlanta. However, it's spread across 152 rainy days, mostly as light drizzle from October through June. The gray overcast skies (not the rain volume) are what cause seasonal depression for many. Summers (July–September) are spectacular with warm, dry weather, long daylight hours, and mountain views. Many Seattleites say summer makes the gray months worthwhile.