Quick answer
Ohio has lower average 1BR rent ($1,110/mo vs $1,600/mo). State income tax: Washington (None) vs Ohio (Up to 3.99%) — on a $120K salary that's $4,788/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Ohio vs Washington
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Ohio vs Washington at a Glance
| Metric | Ohio | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,110 ✓ | $1,600 |
| Avg median home price | $228K ✓ | $570K |
| Cheapest city | Cleveland ($1,050) ✓ | Spokane ($1,100) |
| Priciest city | Columbus ($1,180) | Seattle ($2,100) |
| State income tax | Up to 3.99% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 48/100 | 62/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 3 | 2 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Washington (None).
Salary $80K
$3,192
/year saved in Washington
Salary $120K
$4,788
/year saved in Washington
Salary $200K
$7,980
/year saved in Washington
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Ohio (OH)
Tax reality
Ohio has a flat 3.5% state income tax (being phased down). Property tax varies widely by school district — Cleveland area averages 2.1%, Columbus 1.8%, Cincinnati 1.7%. Sales tax 5.75% state plus local to 7.25-8.0%.
Top cities (3 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Winters are genuinely cold and long. Mid-November through March regularly sees subfreezing temps and lake-effect snow in Cleveland particularly (100+ inches annually). Columbus and Cincinnati are milder but still real winters.
- ✕Job market growth has been below US average for decades. If you need to change roles or industries, options are thinner than in Sun Belt cities.
- ✕Population has been flat-to-slightly-growing — not the high-growth story of TX or FL. Amenities, restaurants, and retail reflect that.
Washington (WA)
Tax reality
Washington has no state income tax on W-2 wages. The state collects revenue through a 6.5% state sales tax (local rates push it to 9-10% in most metros) and a Business & Occupation (B&O) gross receipts tax that affects self-employed workers. A 7% capital gains tax (passed 2021) applies only to gains over $250K on investments — so most people never hit it.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Cloud cover from October through April is serious — many newcomers experience genuine seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you've never lived somewhere with low winter sunlight, test with a 2-week November visit before committing.
- ✕Home prices in Seattle proper have stayed high — $750K-$850K median for a modest SFH in decent neighborhoods. Bellevue and eastside tech suburbs run higher.
- ✕Sales tax 9-10% stings. Every purchase is noticeably more expensive than in no-sales-tax states like Oregon or Montana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ohio or Washington cheaper to live in?
Ohio has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,110/mo vs $1,600/mo in Washington, a $490/mo difference. Home prices: Ohio median is $228K vs $570K.
Ohio vs Washington: which has lower state income tax?
Washington has lower state income tax (None) vs Up to 3.99% in Ohio. On an $80K salary that's $3,192/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $7,980/year.
Should I move from Ohio to Washington?
Ohio has a flat 3.5% state income tax (being phased down). Property tax varies widely by school district — Cleveland area averages 2.1%, Columbus 1.8%, Cincinnati 1.7%. Sales tax 5.75% state plus local to 7.25-8.0%.
What are the best cities in Ohio vs Washington?
Ohio's largest metros include Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati. Washington's largest metros include Seattle, Spokane. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Ohio suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.