Head-to-head
Washington vs Idaho
Crossing from Washington into Idaho lowers the 2024 price level by 11.519 points (107.013 to 95.494) and every category gets cheaper, but Washington has no individual income tax until 2028, when a 9.9% tax on incomes above $1 million begins.
Updated
| Measure | Washington | Idaho | First − second |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-items price level | 107.013 | 95.494 | +11.519 points |
| Rent price level | 125.979 | 90.027 | +35.952 points |
| Home value | $564,600±$1,940 | $418,600±$2,550 | +$146,000 |
| Two-bedroom gross rent | $1,756±$11 | $1,163±$15 | +$593 |
| Household income | $98,141±$414 | $77,800±$743 | +$20,341 |
| Real estate taxes paid | $4,556±$16 | $2,038±$25 | +$2,518 |
$4,000 of monthly spending in Washington scales to $3,569 in Idaho at the 2024 all-items price ratio.
BEA 2024 and ACS 2020–2024; ± marks the Census 90% margin. How to read a gap
Washington vs Idaho: lower prices east of the line, an income tax to match
Rents and utilities carry the gap. Washington's rent parity is 125.979 against Idaho's 90.027, a difference of 35.952 points, and utilities differ by 22.416 points, with Idaho's the cheapest in the country. Goods are 8.048 points dearer in Washington and other services 4.858.
Housing shows the same divide. On the median two-bedroom, Idaho saves $593 a month, $7,116 a year. The typical Idaho home is worth $146,000 less and its owner pays $2,518 less a year in property tax. Owners with a mortgage report median monthly costs of $2,445 against $1,687.
The tax trade cuts the other way. Washington does not currently tax individual income; Senate Bill 6346 (2026) creates a 9.9% tax from January 1, 2028 on adjusted gross income above $1 million, and a capital gains excise tax already applies to those who owe it. Washington draws 59.4% of state revenue from general sales and gross receipts, $2,922 per resident. Idaho taxes income and sales in nearly equal measure, 34.9% and 36.1% of collections. Total collections were $4,920 per resident in Washington and $4,376 in Idaho.
Washington's income lead is $20,341 at the household median and $11,605 per person after prices.
Idaho is converging: its parity rose from 91.023 in 2020 to 95.494, the largest move of any jurisdiction, while Washington eased from 107.859. A Washington job with an Idaho home, or the reverse, needs both locations recorded before any return is prepared.
Price levels by category
| Measure | Washington | Idaho | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 107.013 | 95.494 | +11.519 |
| Goods | 104.359 | 96.311 | +8.048 |
| Housing (rents) | 125.979 | 90.027 | +35.952 |
| Utilities | 92.860 | 70.444 | +22.416 |
| Other services | 103.873 | 99.015 | +4.858 |
| Real income per person (2017 $) | $64,421 | $52,816 | +$11,605 |
Two state tax mixes, FY2025
Washington: $39.36 billion, $4,920 per resident. Idaho: $8.88 billion, $4,376 per resident.
| Tax | WA share | ID share | WA per resident | ID per resident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual income | 1.4% | 34.9% | $68 | $1,528 |
| General sales | 59.4% | 36.1% | $2,922 | $1,579 |
| Property | 12.0% | not levied | $589 | — |
| Motor fuel | 3.8% | 4.5% | $189 | $198 |
| Other selective sales | 11.3% | 6.6% | $557 | $291 |
| Corporate income | not levied | 11.3% | — | $496 |
| Licenses | 5.7% | 6.0% | $281 | $263 |
| Severance | 0.1% | 0.1% | $5 | $3 |
| Other taxes | 6.3% | 0.4% | $308 | $17 |
Taxes on wages and purchases
| Tax | Washington | Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | none before 2028; 9.9% above $1 million of AGI from 2028 | 5.3% above an inflation-indexed threshold |
| State sales tax | 6.5% state rate | 6% |
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