Quick answer
Virginia has lower average 1BR rent ($1,360/mo vs $1,600/mo). State income tax: Washington (None) vs Virginia (5.75%) — on a $120K salary that's $6,900/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Virginia 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
Virginia vs Washington at a Glance
| Metric | Virginia | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,360 ✓ | $1,600 |
| Avg median home price | $335K ✓ | $570K |
| Cheapest city | Richmond ($1,320) | Spokane ($1,100) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Virginia Beach ($1,400) | Seattle ($2,100) |
| State income tax | 5.75% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 44/100 | 62/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 2 | 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
$4,600
/year saved in Washington
Salary $120K
$6,900
/year saved in Washington
Salary $200K
$11,500
/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
Virginia (VA)
Tax reality
Virginia has a progressive state income tax up to 5.75% (modest). Property tax is low (~0.82% effective). Sales tax 4.3% state + local to 5.3-7%. No estate tax. Compared to Maryland, Virginia is a lower-tax option for DC-area workers.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕NoVA housing is genuinely expensive — $700K+ median in Fairfax. Buying a first home in the best school districts is stretched for dual-income $250K+ households.
- ✕NoVA traffic is notorious — the Capital Beltway (I-495) and I-66 are regularly gridlocked. Metro is an option but not universal.
- ✕Virginia Beach and coastal areas face hurricane and sea-level-rise risk. Insurance is increasing.
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 Virginia or Washington cheaper to live in?
Virginia has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,360/mo vs $1,600/mo in Washington, a $240/mo difference. Home prices: Virginia median is $335K vs $570K.
Virginia vs Washington: which has lower state income tax?
Washington has lower state income tax (None) vs 5.75% in Virginia. On an $80K salary that's $4,600/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $11,500/year.
Should I move from Virginia to Washington?
Virginia has a progressive state income tax up to 5.75% (modest). Property tax is low (~0.82% effective). Sales tax 4.3% state + local to 5.3-7%. No estate tax. Compared to Maryland, Virginia is a lower-tax option for DC-area workers.
What are the best cities in Virginia vs Washington?
Virginia's largest metros include Richmond, Virginia Beach. Washington's largest metros include Seattle, Spokane. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Virginia suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.