Compare states / Washington → Idaho
WA → ID
Compare Washington and Idaho
Washington has no state income tax on wages, while Idaho taxes them at a top rate of 5.3%: on $120,000 of single-filer income that is about $6,105 a year in Idaho and $0 in Washington. The median home in Washington is valued at $609,756, about 26% more than Idaho’s $483,379. Washington charges more on both counts: 9.51% average combined sales tax against 6.03%, and a 0.75% effective property-tax rate against 0.50%. Washington levies its own estate tax; Idaho does not.
Moving the other way (Idaho to Washington)? The same numbers apply—swap the columns.
Deadlines and checklists on this page are for arriving in Idaho; for Washington, see the Washington page.
Data: Washington (dor.wa.gov, dol.wa.gov); Idaho (tax.idaho.gov, itd.idaho.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
| Washington | Idaho | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 0.0% | 5.3% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 9.51% | 6.03% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.75% | 0.50% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No | No |
| Social Security tax | No | No |
| Estate tax | Yes — $3.0M exemption | No |
| Inheritance tax | No | No |
| Minimum wage | $17.13 | $7.25 |
| Median home value | $609,756 | $483,379 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.50% | 6.00% |
| State parks | 124 | 28 |
| National parks | 3 | 1 |
| Population density | 121.0/sq mi | 25.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 326.1 | 230.6 |
| Demographics | 64.2% White (non-Hispanic) 13.7% Hispanic 4.3% Black 9.6% Asian | 80.3% White (non-Hispanic) 13.3% Hispanic 0.9% Black 1.6% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 30 | 30 |
| Days to title a car | 30 | 30 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Washington to Idaho?
Washington: No wage income tax; 7% capital gains over threshold. Idaho: Top listed rate 5.3%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $0 in Washington vs $6,105 in Idaho. If you earned in both states this year, see WA tax agency and ID tax agency.
Estimate your state income tax in Washington and Idaho
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 0.0% vs 5.3%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Idaho
New residents of Idaho typically have 30 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 6.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $1,749.00 (tax $1,680.00 + title $14.00 + registration $45.00 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Idaho
Title fee + plate + base registration + 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Idaho
After you become an Idaho resident, you typically have 30 days to get an Idaho driver license. Bring your Washington license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Idaho. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Idaho DMV. Washington plates are not a substitute for Idaho registration once the title clock runs out.
New-resident checklist: Washington to Idaho
- Get an ID driver license within 30 days. Bring your WA license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Idaho (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Idaho 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: 15 days before an election. Idaho elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. WA tax agency · ID tax agency.
- Both Washington and Idaho are in the nurse compact — a multistate license can follow you. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Washington to Idaho
- Idaho taxes wages (top listed 5.3%). Washington does not tax wages.
- Idaho has no state estate tax. Washington does (Yes — $3.0M exemption).
- New residents of Idaho typically have 30 days to get a driver license (in Washington, the window is 30 days).
- Minimum wage: $17.13 in Washington vs $7.25 in Idaho.
- Title the car in Idaho within 30 days. Washington plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
Common questions
Will I start paying state income tax if I move from Washington to Idaho?
Washington does not tax wages; Idaho taxes wages (top listed 5.3%). Moving this direction usually means a new or higher state income-tax bill. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $0 in Washington vs $6,105 in Idaho. 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 Idaho drop the state estate tax I would have in Washington?
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. Idaho: No. No state estate tax. Federal estate tax can still apply in either state.
How does sales tax in Idaho compare to Washington?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 9.51% in Washington vs 6.03% in Idaho. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
How does the minimum wage in Idaho compare with Washington?
Washington: $17.13. Statewide minimum wage $17.13. Some cities set a higher local rate. Idaho: $7.25. Statewide minimum wage $7.25 (matches the federal rate). Some cities set a higher local rate. Tipped and youth rates can differ.
When is the kindergarten cutoff in Idaho compared with Washington?
Washington uses August 31. Idaho uses September 1. Districts may set their own date; confirm with the local school.
How many state and national parks are in Washington vs Idaho?
Washington has 124 state parks and 3 national parks. Idaho has 28 state parks and 1 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.
How does property tax in Idaho compare with Washington?
Effective real-estate property tax: 0.75% in Washington vs 0.50% in Idaho.
Related moves
Also see Idaho and Washington on their own. Moving from Idaho to Washington instead? This page covers that move too; use “Swap columns” at the top.
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. Washington does not tax Social Security benefits (WA tax agency); Idaho does not tax Social Security benefits (ID tax agency).
- Estate tax. Washington estate tax; Idaho has no state estate tax (ID tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Washington has no state inheritance tax (WA tax agency); Idaho has no state inheritance tax (ID tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Washington $17.13; Idaho $7.25.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax when you title a car. Washington 6.50%; Idaho 6.00%.
- State parks. Washington 124; Idaho 28. 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; WA 3, ID 1).
- 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 (WA vs ID: White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Black, Asian).
- Days to get a license. Washington 30 days; Idaho 30 days.
- Days to title a car. Washington 30 days; Idaho 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled