Idaho vs Washington:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Idaho (5.3% top rate, flat) and Washington (no income tax). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
Tax Structure: Idaho vs Washington
Washington has no state income tax, while Idaho uses a flat system with rates of 5.3% flat. On a $100K salary, this creates a state tax difference of $5,300/year that Washington residents simply don’t pay.
Idaho’s flat 5.3% rate means the gap scales linearly with income. At $200K, you’d save $10,600 by being in Washington instead.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
Washington wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage is consistent and significant across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Idaho | Washington | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $32,200 | $34,320 | +$2,120 | Washington |
| $50K | $39,705 | $42,355 | +$2,650 | Washington |
| $60K | $47,210 | $50,390 | +$3,180 | Washington |
| $75K | $57,563 | $61,538 | +$3,975 | Washington |
| $100K | $73,825 | $79,125 | +$5,300 | Washington |
| $120K | $86,835 | $93,195 | +$6,360 | Washington |
| $150K | $105,801 | $113,751 | +$7,950 | Washington |
| $200K | $138,287 | $148,887 | +$10,600 | Washington |
| $250K | $170,014 | $183,264 | +$13,250 | Washington |
| $300K | $199,429 | $215,329 | +$15,900 | Washington |
Cost of Living: Idaho (95) vs Washington (110)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Idaho has a cost of living index of 95 while Washington is at 110 (national average = 100).
The cost of living gap is moderate. After adjustment, $100K has purchasing power of $77,711 in Idaho vs $71,932 in Washington. However, Idaho actually provides better purchasing power despite Washington’s take-home advantage.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $79,410 in Idaho and $84,710 in Washington \u2014 a difference of $5,300. The gap remains similar regardless of filing status.
Should You Move from Idaho to Washington?
On paper, moving from Idaho to Washington would save $5,300/year on a $100K salary, or $26,500 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
With an annual savings of $5,300, the tax difference alone is significant enough to justify a move for many people — especially if career opportunities are comparable. At higher salaries, the savings grow even larger: a $200K earner would save $10,600/year.