California vs Washington
A side-by-side comparison of California and Washington — taxes, housing, income, and cost of living — with a salary-equivalence calculator for anyone considering the move.
Take-home pay on $100,000
California
$74,126/yr take-home
$6,177/mo · 25.9% effective tax
- Federal tax
- $13,170
- State tax (1.0%–13.3%)
- $5,054
- FICA
- $7,650
Washington
$79,180/yr take-home
$6,598/mo · 20.8% effective tax
- Federal tax
- $13,170
- State tax (None)
- $0
- FICA
- $7,650
You keep $5,054 more per year in Washington ($421/mo) from income tax alone — before housing and other costs, below.
The numbers
Monthly cost of living · renting
Salary equivalence
$100,000 in California buys the same lifestyle as $82,967 in Washington
For a household of 1 adult, renting. Washington's cost of living is 90.7% of California's, and the figure accounts for both states' income taxes. Home price is an asset; this compares monthly living cost. An estimate, not financial advice.
California vs Washington: what the numbers say
Thinking about moving from California to Washington? Here's how the two states line up on the numbers that shape your budget. The headline difference is tax: Washington has no state income tax, while California charges 1.0%–13.3%. Moving from California to Washington can noticeably raise your take-home pay.
Housing is usually the biggest factor. A typical home costs $775,549 in California versus $603,303 in Washington — Washington is cheaper by about $172,246. Overall cost of living runs $4,611 a month in California and $4,180 in Washington for a single adult, and the typical household earns $100,149 versus $99,389.
Because prices differ, the same paycheck stretches differently: Washington's cost of living is about 90.7% of California's. Use the calculator above to see exactly what your California salary would need to be in Washington to keep the same lifestyle, taxes included.
Income matters too, not just costs. The typical household earns $100,149 in California versus $99,389 in Washington, so a state that looks pricier on paper can still come out ahead if local pay is higher. That's why the salary-equivalence figure — which folds in both taxes and cost of living — is a better guide for a move than any single cost-of-living index on its own.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in California or Washington?
- Washington has the lower typical monthly cost of living for a single adult. The table above breaks down housing, taxes, and more, and the calculator shows the salary equivalence between the two.
- What salary do I need in Washington to match California?
- It depends on your current salary and filing status. Enter them in the calculator above to see the Washington salary that preserves your California purchasing power after taxes and cost-of-living differences.
Explore further
Dig into either state on its own, or compare a different pair.
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