Cost of Living in Washington
Based on 1 city we track in Washington.
Cost of living in Washington is shaped mostly by rent across the 1 city we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,858 a month — 56% higher than the $1,191 median across the 28 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $121,984, 70% higher than the $71,716 median across the states we track. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,858
Median Home Value
$912,100
Median Income
$121,984
Avg Temperature
53.5°F
Medians across the Washington cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
6.5%
State Income Tax (top rate)
None
Cities in Washington
Compare Washington with
Washington cost of living — FAQ
- Is Washington expensive to live in?
- Washington is among the most expensive of the 28 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,858 ranks #2 of 28 and is 56% higher than the $1,191 median.
- What is the average rent in Washington?
- Across the 1 city we track in Washington, average rent runs a studio around $1,638, a one-bedroom around $1,858, a two-bedroom around $2,359, a three-bedroom around $2,918 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Washington?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Washington is $912,100 — 187% higher than the $317,950 median across the states we track.
- Does Washington have a state income tax?
- No — Washington has no broad-based state income tax on wages. Its state sales tax rate is 6.5%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Washington?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,858 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Washington is $121,984.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).