Cost of Living in Washington
Based on 3 cities we track in Washington.
Cost of living in Washington is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,332 a month — 27% higher than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $83,857, 25% higher than the $67,043 median across the states we track. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,332
Median Home Value
$454,600
Median Income
$83,857
Avg Temperature
52.1°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
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Washington cost of living — FAQ
- Is Washington expensive to live in?
- Washington is among the most expensive of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,332 ranks #7 of 51 and is 27% higher than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Washington?
- Across the 3 cities we track in Washington, average rent runs a studio around $1,178, a one-bedroom around $1,332, a two-bedroom around $1,693, a three-bedroom around $2,094 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 $454,600 — 58% higher than the $287,500 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 $1,332 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Washington is $83,857.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).