Seattle, WA
LA-level prices, no state tax on wages, and a much faster market.
Seattle isn't a move people make to save on housing. In the most recent Redfin data the typical Seattle home sold for about $901K, close to the $904K for the typical LA County zip code. The draws are usually work, climate and Washington's lack of a state income tax on wages.
The money picture
| Typical LA County zip | Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $904K | $901K |
| Median price per sq ft | $588 | $571 |
| Median days on market | n/a | 11 |
| State income tax on wages | Progressive, top rate 13.3% | None on wages (Washington has no personal income tax on wages) |
Market figures: Redfin Data Center. Seattle: May 2026, all residential. LA: median of LA County zip-code medians, Mar 2026 to May 2026. Medians are a rough guide and hide a wide range of homes. Tax rates as published by each state for tax year 2026; rates change, so verify with the state's revenue department.
Seattle's market has been fast: a median of 11 days on market and an average sale price of about 100.8% of list. The typical single-family home sold for about $1.17M and the typical condo for about $503K.
Washington doesn't tax wage income, but it does have a capital gains excise tax on certain long-term capital gains above an annual deduction, with a higher rate on gains above $1 million. Sales of real estate are generally exempt from that tax. Washington's tax rules have been changing, so check the current details with the Washington Department of Revenue.
Someone who earns their income mainly from wages may owe no Washington income tax on those wages, while someone who sells a large stock portfolio after moving could owe Washington's capital gains excise tax. Separately, the gain on the sale of an LA home is generally California-source income regardless of where the seller lives. These are simplified illustrations, and a CPA should model any specific situation.
What people tend to weigh
- Climate. Mild, gray, wet winters and dry, pleasant summers. A real change from Southern California.
- Jobs. A large tech, healthcare and aerospace employment base.
- Housing stock. Older homes in the city, condos close in, and suburbs east of Lake Washington and north and south along I-5.
- Pace. Homes have been selling quickly, so buyers often move fast once they find the right place.
The move starts with the sale.
Before you land anywhere, your LA home has to sell, and how it sells sets your budget for everything after. The seller's playbook covers timing, California withholding at closing, transfer taxes and the questions to bring your CPA.