Washington vs. Oregon
On a $75,000 salary, you keep about $5,217 more a year in Washington. Prices are 4% higher in Washington, so after adjusting for cost of living Washington comes out ahead.
Last verified November 2, 2026.
| Washington | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | Does not tax wages, so there is no state income tax withheld from paychecks. | Has a graduated income tax with 4 brackets, from 4.75% up to 9.9% on taxable income over $125,000 for single filers. |
| Minimum wage | $17.13 | $15.55 |
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | 107.0 | 103.4 |
| Employer cost on a $50,000 hire | $5,328 | $5,712 |
| SUTA wage base | $78,200 | $56,700 |
Take-home pay at the same salary
| Salary | Washington take-home | Oregon take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,661 | $38,460 | $3,202 more in Washington |
| $75,000 | $60,552 | $55,335 | $5,217 more in Washington |
| $100,000 | $77,793 | $70,560 | $7,233 more in Washington |
| $150,000 | $111,710 | $100,192 | $11,519 more in Washington |
Single filer, standard deduction, tax year 2026. Excludes local income taxes.
Adjusted for cost of living
Using BEA regional price parities, $60,552 in Washington buys what $56,584 buys in an average-priced state, and $55,335 in Oregon buys what $53,535 does. To keep the same buying power moving from Washington to Oregon, a $75,000 salary would need to be about $72,440 before the tax difference.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Washington or Oregon better for take-home pay?
- On $75,000, you keep about $5,217 more a year in Washington. Adjusted for prices, Washington comes out ahead by $3,049.
- Which state is cheaper for employers, Washington or Oregon?
- Employer taxes and insurance on a $50,000 hire are about $5,328 in Washington and $5,712 in Oregon.