Buying in Washington: what the numbers look like
Washington sits mid-pack for property taxes — 0.76% average effective rate (27th of 50, national average ≈ 0.94%), which works out to about $4,484 a year on the typical $590,000 home. On the insurance side, Washington homeowners average about $1,500 a year — a bargain at 44% below the 50-state average.
Put together at an illustrative 6.5% rate (30-year, 20% down), the typical Washington purchase pencils out near $3,482/month: $2,983 principal & interest + $374 tax + $125 insurance. That's the number the calculator above starts from — swap in your real price, rate quote, and county figures to make it yours.
Property taxes & closing costs in Washington
No state income tax; the graduated real-estate excise tax hits high-price sales hardest.
Transfer tax: Graduated REET: 1.1% up to $525k, rising to 3% above $3.025M. Closing costs also include lender, title, and recording fees — typically 2–5% of the price all-in.
Washington at a glance
| Typical home value (Zillow, 2025) | $590,000 (4th highest) |
| Avg. effective property tax (2023) | 0.76% ≈ $374/mo |
| Avg. home insurance (2025) | $1,500/yr ≈ $125/mo |
| Example payment (typical home, 6.5%, 20% down) | $3,482/mo |
Frequently asked questions
How much is the mortgage payment on a typical Washington home?
The typical Washington home runs about $590,000 (Zillow, 2025). With 20% down ($118,000) on a 30-year loan at an illustrative 6.5% rate, the full monthly payment is roughly $3,482 — $2,983 principal & interest, $374 property tax, and $125 insurance. Adjust every input above to match your own price and quote.
What is the property tax rate in Washington?
Washington's average effective rate is 0.76% of home value — the 27th lowest — that is, 24th lowest in the nation (Tax Foundation, 2023 data). On the typical $590,000 home that is about $4,484 per year. No state income tax; the graduated real-estate excise tax hits high-price sales hardest.
How much is homeowners insurance in Washington?
Roughly $1,500 per year on average for $300k of dwelling coverage (Bankrate, 2025) — below the 50-state average of $2,682. Your premium depends on the home’s age, construction, claims history, and coverage limits, so quote several insurers.
Nearby states & more tools
Compare: Oregon mortgage calculator · Idaho mortgage calculator · California mortgage calculator · Alaska mortgage calculator — or see all 50 states compared.
Not sure of your price range? Start with the home affordability calculator, then fine-tune here. The full mortgage calculator has extra payments and PMI controls too.
Data & sources: Property tax — Effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing, calendar year 2023 (Tax Foundation analysis of Census ACS data, published 2025). Home value — Typical home value, Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), 2025, rounded to the nearest $5,000. Insurance — Average annual homeowners insurance premium for $300k dwelling coverage (Bankrate/Quadrant 2025), rounded to the nearest $50. State-level figures are planning defaults, not quotes: property taxes vary by county and city, insurance varies by home and insurer, and home values move monthly. Every value prefills the calculator but remains editable. The 6.5% rate is illustrative, not an offer or a prediction — always enter a real quote.
Disclaimer: Educational purposes only — not financial advice. See our Terms of Use.