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Washington cost of living & income (2026)

Quick answer: Washington has a cost-of-living index of 114.6 (100 = national baseline), an illustrative estimated annual cost of living of about $57,300, median household income of $99,389, combined average sales tax about 9.38%, and regular gas about $5.376/gal in the June 2026 AAA snapshot used on the hub.

COL index114.6100 = US baseline
Est. annual COL$57,300
Median HH income$99,389
Sales tax (comb.)9.38%
Gas (87 octane)$5.376/galJune 2026 AAA
Largest citySeattle (755,078)

Taxes & economy

Income tax: None on ordinary income (7% capital gains on high earners)

Sales tax: 6.5% state (combined avg. ~9.38%)

Major industries: Technology (Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing), aerospace, agriculture (apples, wine), tourism, forestry, shipping

Climate snapshot

Summer high ~76°F (July, Seattle area; warmer east) · Winter low ~36°F (January, Seattle area)

Culture (context)

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) / Chihuly Garden and Glass

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FAQ

What is Washington's cost of living index?

Washington's cost-of-living index is 114.6 (national baseline 100) in this 2026 classroom snapshot.

What is the estimated annual cost of living in Washington?

The explorer lists an illustrative estimated annual cost of living of about $57,300 for Washington.

What is median household income in Washington?

Median household income in Washington is $99,389 in this dataset.

What is the combined average sales tax rate in Washington?

The combined average sales tax rate shown for Washington is 9.38%. State and local rules vary; see the Tax Foundation citation on the hub.

Does Washington have a state income tax?

State income tax in Washington: None on ordinary income (7% capital gains on high earners).

What was regular gas in Washington in this snapshot?

87-octane gas is listed at $5.376 per gallon (AAA, June 2026) in the explorer data.

Sources on the hub: Tax Foundation (sales tax), BEA / ACS (income & COL), AAA gas (June 20, 2026). Educational snapshot — not relocation or tax advice.