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Overall Rating: 92/100 · 489,587 veterans (6.4% of population)
Reviewed 2026. Programs and exemptions verified against Washington veterans-affairs and tax-authority sources.
Benefit details verified January 2025. Tax exemptions, caps, and eligibility change and can vary by county — always confirm current figures with your county assessor and your Washington Department of Veterans Affairs before you rely on them.
None - no state income tax
1% average effective rate
Income-tested (80%+ or 100%-rate)
Requires 80%+ or 100%-rate compensation, then county income limit (VA pay excluded from income). Exempts excess levies + part of regular levies, freezes value. Income-tested, not a flat exemption.
Source ↗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
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$0 down, no PMI. Funding fee waived for service-connected veterans.
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Per RCW 41.04.010, a wartime/armed-conflict veteran gets 10% added to a passing exam score (until first appointment); a non-wartime veteran or military retiree gets 5%; and 5% is added to promotional exams for veterans called to active service from state employment.
Official source ↗Washington-resident veterans with a 30%+ combined service-connected disability get a free lifetime pass covering park admission, campsites, and reservation-fee exemptions; it replaces the Discover Pass on State Parks, DNR, and WDFW lands.
Official source ↗WDFW offers reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses to veterans with a VA disability rating of at least 30% (or resident veterans 65+ with any service-connected disability), verified by a VA letter.
Official source ↗Washington issues Disabled American Veteran plates (good for the veteran's lifetime) that are exempt from license/registration fees on one personal-use vehicle per year; requires a VA letter verifying 100% service-connected compensation expected to last more than one year.
Official source ↗WDVA operates four Medicare/Medicaid-certified 24-hour skilled nursing homes: Orting (Washington Soldiers Home), Retsil/Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla; open to honorably discharged veterans residing in Washington, plus eligible spouses, widows, and Gold Star parents.
Official source ↗State colleges and universities waive undergraduate tuition and fees (up to 200 quarter credits) for the surviving spouse/partner and children of veterans or National Guard members who died or became totally disabled from service; spouses have 10 years and lose eligibility upon remarriage.
Official source ↗Washington provides a property-tax grant to surviving spouses (age 62+ or disabled, not remarried) of veterans who died of a service-connected disability, were rated 100% for 10 years prior, were a former POW rated 100%, or died on active duty/training.
Official source ↗Sourced from official state agencies; programs and eligibility change — confirm with your Washington Department of Veterans Affairs before applying.