Compare states / California → Washington
CA → WA
Compare California and Washington
Washington has no state income tax on wages, while California taxes them at a top rate of 13.3%: on $120,000 of single-filer income that is about $7,599 a year in California and $0 in Washington. The median home in California is valued at $778,217, about 28% more than Washington’s $609,756. Washington has the higher average combined sales tax (9.51% vs 8.99%), while effective property-tax rates are close at 0.70% and 0.75%. For the outdoors, California has 9 national parks to Washington’s 3.
Moving the other way (Washington to California)? The same numbers apply—swap the columns.
Deadlines and checklists on this page are for arriving in Washington; for California, see the California page.
Data: California (ftb.ca.gov, dmv.ca.gov); Washington (dor.wa.gov, dol.wa.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
| California | Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 13.3% | 0.0% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.99% | 9.51% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.70% | 0.75% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Yes — 0.65% effective | No |
| Social Security tax | No | No |
| Estate tax | No | Yes — $3.0M exemption |
| Inheritance tax | No | No |
| Minimum wage | $16.90 | $17.13 |
| Median home value | $778,217 | $609,756 |
| Tax when you title a car | 7.25% | 6.50% |
| State parks | 89 | 124 |
| National parks | 9 | 3 |
| Population density | 252.5/sq mi | 121.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 486.0 | 326.1 |
| Demographics | 32.5% White (non-Hispanic) 41.2% Hispanic 6.4% Black 17.5% Asian | 64.2% White (non-Hispanic) 13.7% Hispanic 4.3% Black 9.6% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 10 | 30 |
| Days to title a car | 20 | 30 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from California to Washington?
California: 1%–12.3%, plus 1% over $1M (13.3% top). Washington: No wage income tax; 7% capital gains over threshold. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $7,599 in California vs $0 in Washington. If you earned in both states this year, see CA tax agency and WA tax agency.
Estimate your state income tax in California and Washington
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 13.3% vs 0.0%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Washington
New residents of Washington typically have 30 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 6.50%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $1,875.00 (tax $1,820.00 + title $15.00 + registration $30.00 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Washington
Title fee + plate + base registration + 6.50% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Washington
After you become a Washington resident, you typically have 30 days to get a Washington driver license. Bring your California license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Washington. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Washington DMV. California plates are not a substitute for Washington registration once the title clock runs out.
New-resident checklist: California to Washington
- Get a WA driver license within 30 days. Bring your CA license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Washington (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Washington DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 8 days before an election. Washington elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. CA tax agency · WA tax agency.
- Washington is in the nurse compact; California is not. You may still need a WA license if you change primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from California to Washington
- Washington does not tax wages. California’s top listed rate is 13.3% (1%–12.3%, plus 1% over $1M (13.3% top)).
- Washington has a state estate tax (Yes — $3.0M exemption). California does not.
- New residents of Washington typically have 30 days to get a driver license (in California, the window is 10 days).
- California lists a vehicle personal-property tax; Washington does not have one.
- Washington is in the nurse compact; California is not. You may still need a WA license if you change primary residence.
Common questions
Will I stop paying state income tax if I move from California to Washington?
Washington does not tax wages; California’s top listed rate is 13.3%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $7,599 in California vs $0 in Washington. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
Does Washington have an estate tax that California does not?
California: No. No state estate tax. Washington: Yes — $3.0M exemption. Washington’s exclusion is $3,076,000 for deaths from January 1 through June 30, 2026, and $3,000,000 for deaths on or after July 1, 2026. A qualified family-owned business interest deduction may also apply. Federal estate tax can still apply in either state.
Does Washington drop the vehicle personal-property tax I would pay in California?
California lists a vehicle personal-property tax (0.65% effective). Washington does not have one. Vehicle license fee of 0.65% of value (not a county PPT).
Can I keep a compact RN license if I move from California to Washington?
Washington is in the nurse compact; California is not. You may still need a WA license if you change primary residence.
How many state and national parks are in California vs Washington?
California has 89 state parks and 9 national parks. Washington has 124 state parks and 3 national parks. State-park counts are units each state officially designates as state parks (historic sites, recreation areas, wildlife areas, forests, and similar non-park units omitted). National parks are National Park Service units designated National Park, counted in each state they sit in.
When is the kindergarten cutoff in Washington compared with California?
California uses September 1. Washington uses August 31. Districts may set their own date; confirm with the local school.
How do California and Washington compare on demographics?
California: 32.5% White (non-Hispanic), 41.2% Hispanic, 6.4% Black, 17.5% Asian. Washington: 64.2% White (non-Hispanic), 13.7% Hispanic, 4.3% Black, 9.6% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see Washington and California on their own. Moving from Washington to California instead? This page covers that move too; use “Swap columns” at the top.
California → Texas · California → Arizona · California → Nevada · California → Oregon · Washington → Idaho
Your move
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- Top state income-tax rate. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. California does not tax Social Security benefits (CA tax agency); Washington does not tax Social Security benefits (WA tax agency).
- Estate tax. California has no state estate tax (CA tax agency); Washington estate tax.
- Inheritance tax. California has no state inheritance tax (CA tax agency); Washington has no state inheritance tax (WA tax agency).
- Minimum wage. California $16.90; Washington $17.13.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax when you title a car. California 7.25%; Washington 6.50%.
- State parks. California 89; Washington 124. Official designated state parks (historic sites, recreation areas, and similar units omitted).
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; CA 9, WA 3).
- Population density. U.S. Census Bureau PopClock, people per sq. mi. · state population estimates.
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (CA vs WA: White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Black, Asian).
- Days to get a license. California 10 days; Washington 30 days.
- Days to title a car. California 20 days; Washington 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled