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Washington

Financial data for local governments across Washington

212 Cities
39 Counties
69 Towns
354 CDPs

Tax Snapshot (Beta)

Beta: source-backed tax context only. This is not a personalized tax-burden estimate.

Current source-backed tax context for Washington.

Component Summary Effective Coverage Sources
WA individual income tax policy Washington has no broad individual income tax; it imposes a state capital gains excise tax with 7% and 9.9% tiers. Tiered capital gains rates effective for tax year 2025 and later. Needs review Washington income tax page; Washington capital gains tiered rates notice
WA retail sales tax (state base) Washington state retail sales tax base rate is 6.5%; local rates are additive. Current Department of Revenue guidance (as accessed April 18, 2026). Rate missing Washington retail sales tax
WA property tax policy (levy-based local system) Washington property tax is levy-based and primarily local, with county certification and statutory levy-limit rules. Current Department of Revenue guidance (as accessed April 18, 2026). Needs review Washington property tax levies

Retirement income taxes in Washington

Tax year 2026. Verified 2026-10-11.

Retirement income

Social Security
Not taxed: the state has no income tax. From 2028, a new state income tax reaches the taxable part of this income above a $1 million deduction (one per married couple) that covers all income.
Sources (10)
Government pensions and plans, in-state and federal
Not taxed: the state has no income tax. From 2028, a new state income tax reaches the taxable part of this income above a $1 million deduction (one per married couple) that covers all income.
Sources (12)
Government pensions and plans from other states
Not taxed: the state has no income tax. From 2028, a new state income tax reaches the taxable part of this income above a $1 million deduction (one per married couple) that covers all income.
Sources (10)
Military retired pay
Not taxed: the state has no income tax. From 2028, a new state income tax reaches the taxable part of this income above a $1 million deduction (one per married couple) that covers all income.
Sources (10)
Private pensions
Not taxed: the state has no income tax. From 2028, a new state income tax reaches the taxable part of this income above a $1 million deduction (one per married couple) that covers all income.
Sources (11)
Private employer plan withdrawals (401(k) and similar)
Not taxed: the state has no income tax. From 2028, a new state income tax reaches the taxable part of this income above a $1 million deduction (one per married couple) that covers all income.
Sources (12)
IRA withdrawals
Not taxed: the state has no income tax. From 2028, a new state income tax reaches the taxable part of this income above a $1 million deduction (one per married couple) that covers all income.
Sources (12)
Dividends and interest
Not taxed: the state has no income tax. From 2028, a new state income tax reaches the taxable part of this income above a $1 million deduction (one per married couple) that covers all income.
Sources (13)
Capital gains
Partly taxed: long-term gains above a yearly deduction are taxed at 7%, plus 2.9% on the part over $1 million. The deduction was $278,000 for 2025 (set at $250,000 in the law and raised each year for inflation). Short-term gains aren't taxed, and some sales, such as real estate and retirement-account assets, are exempt. From 2028, short-term gains are taxed too: they count toward the new state income tax on income above a $1 million deduction (one per married couple). Long-term gains stay under the capital-gains tax; for people who owe it, they also count toward the income tax, with the capital-gains tax credited against it.
Sources (25)
A deduction for all income, by age or low income
No. From 2028, the new state income tax gives a $1 million deduction (one per married couple) against all income, whatever the person's age or income.
Sources (5)
Other state taxes on this income
None.
Sources (7)
Local income taxes
Yes, but not on retirement income.

Seattle taxes employers on payroll; pensions, retirement-account withdrawals and Social Security aren't payroll.

Sources (16)

Estate and inheritance taxes

Estate tax
Yes.
Sources (6)
Inheritance tax
No.
Sources (8)

Compare retirement income taxes in every state

Demographics

Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023)

7,740,984 Population
$94,952 Median Household Income
$519,800 Median Home Value
38.2 Median Age
9.9% Poverty Rate
5.0% Unemployment Rate
63.9% Homeownership Rate
38.8% Bachelor's+ Rate
Population
7,740,984 (2023)
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2010 2023
Median Household Income
$94,952 (2023)
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2010 2023
Per Capita Income
$51,493 (2023)
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2010 2023
Median Home Value
$519,800 (2023)
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2010 2023
Median Gross Rent
$1,682 (2023)
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2010 2023
Median Age
38.2 (2023)
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2010 2023
Gini Index
0 = perfect equality · 1 = perfect inequality
0.5 (2023)
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2010 2023

Local Governments

Cities (212)
Counties (39)
Towns (69)
Census-Designated Places (354)

Largest by Population

King County County 2,262,713
Pierce County County 924,106
Snohomish County County 834,648
Seattle City 741,440
Spokane County County 544,323

Explore Governments

Data: NYS Comptroller · CA State Controller · US Census Bureau benchmarkusa.org