Moving from Washington
About 215,300 people left Washington for other states in 2023, while about 212,600 moved in.
- Washington has no individual income tax, so most people leave without a final state tax return.
- The exceptions are a large capital gain and WA Cares, the state long-term care program.
- If you paid into WA Cares, you have one year after you move to opt in and keep it.
- This page covers every Washington-origin route we track.
Washington at a Glance
Taxes
Climate
Marine west coast with mild temperatures, rainy winters, and warm, dry summers.
Cost of Living
Why People Move from Washington
California is the top destination.
- Census ACS 2023 flows put it at about 32,200, then Oregon at about 22,200 and Texas at about 20,400.
- Idaho took about 14,700, Arizona about 12,800, and Florida about 9,000.
- The two largest routes run more strongly the other way.
- California sent about 40,900 people to Washington and Oregon about 30,000.
- Idaho and Texas are the opposite.
- Idaho took about 14,700 people from Washington and sent back about 7,500.
On cost, Washington is one of the more expensive states.
- The MERIC first quarter 2026 series put the cost of living index at 114.6, ranked 44th.
- Transportation is the highest component at 131.2, and housing is 123.1.
- The Tax Foundation lists a 6.50 percent state sales tax and an average combined state and local rate of 9.51 percent.
- The effective property tax rate on owner-occupied homes is 0.75 percent.
Popular Routes Moving from Washington
Before You Leave Washington
Check whether a capital gains sale counts as Washington income
Washington has no individual income tax, so there is no part-year return to file. It does tax long-term capital gains at 7 percent, after a standard deduction of $278,000 for 2025. Since 2025, gains above $1 million pay an extra 2.9 percent. The tax applies only to gains allocated to Washington. Under RCW 82.87.100, a gain from stock or other intangible property is allocated here if you were domiciled in Washington on the sale date. File a return if you owe the tax. Also file one if you made a payment or asked for an extension, even with no tax due.
Source: Washington Department of Revenue, Capital gains taxOpt in within one year to keep WA Cares coverage
WA Cares is the state long-term care program funded from your paycheck. To keep it after you move, opt in within one year of setting up your main home in another state. You need 500 contributing hours a year for three years since July 1, 2023, and no active exemption. Out-of-state benefits start July 1, 2030. You then file a wage report every year. If you stop reporting or paying, coverage ends and cannot be reinstated.
Source: WA Cares Fund, Out-of-State CoverageDispose of your Washington plates
Take old plates to a vehicle licensing office or mail them to DOL. You can also recycle them if your recycler accepts plates. Remove or invalidate the month and year tabs first, then bend the plates. Personalized plates and some special plates must go back to DOL. You cannot recycle those.
Source: Washington DOL, Dispose of old platesAsk for a refund if you renewed your registration before you moved
You may get your registration fee back if you moved the vehicle out before the new registration period began. Mail the Vehicle/Vessel Refund Application to DOL. Include a copy of your new out-of-state registration that shows the VIN and the issue date. A refund takes 1 to 3 months.
Source: Washington DOL, RefundsFile a Report of Sale within 5 days if you sell the vehicle
If you sell the vehicle before you move, file a Report of Sale within 5 days of the sale. This protects you from tolls, tickets, and towing charges the new owner runs up. Remove the plates before the buyer drives away.
Source: Washington DOL, Sell a vehicleCancel your Washington voter registration
You can be registered at only one address. To cancel, sign the cancellation form and return it to your county elections office by mail or email. The state needs your signature. Then register to vote in your new state.
Source: Washington Secretary of State, Residency RequirementsWashington DMV & Registration
Your new state sets the deadline for its license and plates.
- When you no longer use the Washington plates, take them to a vehicle licensing office or mail them to DOL.
- You can also recycle them if your recycler accepts plates.
- Remove or invalidate the tabs and bend the plates first.
- Personalized plates must go back to DOL.
- If you moved the vehicle out before a new registration period began, you can apply for a refund of that registration fee.
- If you sell the car instead, file a Report of Sale within 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file a Washington tax return when I move out?
Usually not.
- Washington has no individual income tax, so there is no part-year return.
- The exception is the capital gains tax.
- It is 7 percent on long-term gains allocated to Washington, after a standard deduction of $278,000 for 2025.
- Since 2025, gains above $1 million pay an extra 2.9 percent.
- A gain from stock or other intangible property is allocated to Washington if you were domiciled here on the sale date.
- Gains from selling real estate are exempt.
- File a return if you owe the tax.
- Also file one if you made a payment or asked for an extension, even with no tax due.
What happens to WA Cares if I move out of Washington?
You can keep it, but you must opt in within one year of setting up your main home in another state.
- You need 500 contributing hours a year for three years since July 1, 2023, and no active exemption.
- Benefits for out-of-state participants start July 1, 2030.
- After you opt in, you file a wage report every year and pay premiums.
- If you stop, coverage is canceled and cannot be reinstated.
What do I do with my Washington license plates when I move?
Take them to a vehicle licensing office, mail them to DOL, or recycle them if your recycler accepts plates.
- Remove or invalidate the month and year tabs and bend the plates before you recycle them.
- Personalized plates, disabled parking plates, and several special plates must go back to DOL and cannot be recycled.
Can I get a refund on my Washington tabs after I move?
Possibly.
- DOL refunds the registration fee if you moved the vehicle out of Washington before the new registration period began.
- Mail the Vehicle/Vessel Refund Application with a copy of your new out-of-state registration that shows the VIN and the issue date.
- A report of sale, bill of sale, or dealer trade-in invoice also works.
- Processing currently takes 1 to 3 months.
How do I cancel my Washington voter registration?
Sign the cancellation form and return it to your county elections office by mail or email.
- The state requires your signature.
- You can be registered at only one address, so register in your new state as well.
Where do people move when they leave Washington?
Using Census ACS 2023 state-to-state flows: California (about 32,200), Oregon (about 22,200), Texas (about 20,400), Idaho (about 14,700), Arizona (about 12,800), and Florida (about 9,000).
- California and Oregon each sent more people to Washington than they took from it.
- Texas, Idaho, Arizona, and Florida took more than they sent.