Compare states / Washington
WA
Compare Washington with other states
Washington is a larger Western state: about 8.1 million residents, the 13th-largest population, at 121 people per square mile. There is no state tax on wage income, but its average combined sales tax of 9.51% is the 3rd-highest among the 50 states. Housing is expensive: the median home value of $609,756 is the 4th-highest nationally. Its $17.13 minimum wage is the highest nationally.
Data: Washington (dor.wa.gov, dol.wa.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | None on wages |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 9.51% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.75% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No annual vehicle personal-property tax |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed (no personal income tax). |
| Estate tax | 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. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $17.13. Some cities set a higher local rate. |
| Median home value | $609,756 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.50% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $15.00 |
| Registration (base) | $30.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 124 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 3 |
| Population | 8,074,082 |
| Population density | 121.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 64.2% White (non-Hispanic) 13.7% Hispanic 4.3% Black 9.6% Asian |
| Violent crime | 326.1 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Washington
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 0.0%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Washington
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.50% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Washington
- Get a WA driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Washington.
- 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. Washington elections site.
- Nurse license: Washington is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Washington: August 31. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Washington compares
California taxes wages (top listed 13.3%). Washington does not tax wages.
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Washington are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. 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).
- Estate tax. Washington estate tax.
- Inheritance tax. Washington has no state inheritance tax (WA tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Washington $17.13.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Washington 6.50%.
- State parks. Washington 124. Official designated state parks.
- 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).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (WA).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Washington 30 days.
- Days to title a car. Washington 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled