Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,688 in California versus $1,858 in Washington. Overall, California runs roughly 9% cheaper on rent than Washington, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $83,969 in California and $121,984 in Washington — about 31% higher in Washington. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
7.25%
6.5%
+0.8 pp in California
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
None
+13.3 pp in California
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,688
$1,858
+10% in Washington
Median Home Value
$771,700
$912,100
+18% in Washington
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$83,969
$121,984
+45% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
64.4°F
53.5°F
+10.9°F in California
California vs Washington — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in California or Washington?
- California is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,688 runs about 9% below Washington's $1,858, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in California than in Washington?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $68,000 a year in California versus $74,000 in Washington.
- Which has lower taxes, California or Washington?
- California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 9/1 cities we track in California/Washington — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.