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Overall Rating: 92/100 · 489,587 veterans (6.4% of population)
None - no state income tax
1% average effective rate
Full exemption
Adaptive housing sales tax refund up to $2,500
$76,000
VA Medical Center
1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 762-1010
Full service, emergency care, spinal cord injury center
VA Medical Center
9600 Veterans Drive SW, Tacoma, WA 98493
(253) 582-8440
Full service, PTSD residential, substance abuse treatment
VA Medical Center
4815 North Assembly Street, Spokane, WA 99205
(509) 434-7000
Full service, primary/specialty care, mental health
Tuition waiver
Up to 50% tuition waived for eligible veterans
4-year value: $24,000
Full tuition
Dependents of 100% disabled or deceased veterans
4-year value: $48,000
Median Home
$380,000
1BR Rent
$950/mo
COL Index
96
Unemployment
3.2%
Major employers: Fairchild AFB, Providence Health, Avista
Pros: Most affordable major WA city, full VA medical center, Fairchild AFB nearby
Cons: Cold winters, smaller job market than Seattle
Median Home
$499,000
1BR Rent
$1,350/mo
COL Index
108
Unemployment
3.1%
Major employers: JBLM, MultiCare Health, Port of Tacoma
Pros: Best JBLM proximity (10 miles), excellent VA at American Lake, 50K+ veteran community
Cons: Still expensive, crime in some areas
Median Home
$918,000
1BR Rent
$2,000/mo
COL Index
150
Unemployment
3.9%
Major employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, University of Washington
Pros: Best job market, highest salaries ($90K-200K+ tech), flagship Seattle VA
Cons: Extremely expensive housing ($918K median), brutal affordability
Most veterans considering Washington for relocation pair this with one of these next steps:
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Quick calculator
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Buying a home
$0 down, no PMI. Funding fee waived for service-connected veterans.
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