Virginia vs Washington
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.3%
6.5%
+1.2 pp in Washington
Income Tax (top rate)
5.75%
None
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,357
$1,858
+37% in Washington
Median Home Value
$366,300
$912,100
+149% in Washington
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$90,685
$121,984
+35% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
59.9°F
53.5°F
+6.4°F in Virginia
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Virginia/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.