PCSing to Washington

Taxes for Military Families in Washington

Washington has no state income tax, so military pay, retirement pay, and VA disability go untaxed at the state level. The trade-off is a high sales tax and moderate property taxes, though the state's capital gains excise tax does not touch ordinary wages or pensions. Veterans with an 80%+ service-connected rating may qualify for a property tax exemption on their primary residence, subject to income limits.

Washington Veteran Benefits Worth Knowing

• No state income tax on military pay, retirement pay, or SBP payments
• Property tax relief for qualifying disabled veterans, subject to rating and income thresholds
• Tuition waivers at state colleges for eligible veterans and National Guard members
• Free or discounted state park passes and licenses for disabled veterans

The Washington Housing Market for Military Buyers

Puget Sound prices are steep by military standards: median homes near JBLM in Lakewood, Spanaway, and Puyallup run above the national median, and BAH often covers a townhome or an older single-family rather than new construction. Kitsap County and Oak Harbor offer better value for Navy families, though inventory is thin. Fairchild AFB is the outlier — Spokane-area homes remain genuinely affordable. Strong rental demand near every base makes buying-then-renting a proven PCS strategy.

Top School Districts & Counties in Washington

• Near JBLM: Steilacoom Historical and Puyallup districts are perennial favorites; DuPont feeds well-regarded Steilacoom schools
• Near Naval Base Kitsap: Central Kitsap School District (Silverdale) is the standard pick for Bangor and Bremerton families
• Near NAS Whidbey Island: Oak Harbor Public Schools serves most base families, with Coupeville a smaller alternative
• Near Fairchild AFB: Cheney and Medical Lake districts sit closest, with Mead a top-rated option north of Spokane

Weather & Climate in Washington

Western Washington's marine climate means gray, drizzly winters and mild, dry summers rarely above the mid-80s°F — moss, drainage, and roof condition matter more in inspections than storm damage, and many older homes lack air conditioning. Whidbey Island sits in the Olympic rain shadow and is notably drier than Seattle. Earthquake risk is real region-wide, so ask about seismic retrofits on pre-1980 homes. Spokane is a different world: four true seasons, real snow, and cold snaps that make insulation and furnace age worth checking.

Traffic & Commutes in Washington

The I-5 corridor past JBLM is one of the worst military commutes in the country — backups through the base's exits are daily, so living in DuPont, Lakewood, or Spanaway close to your gate is worth real money versus commuting from Olympia or Puyallup. Kitsap commutes revolve around ferries and the Highway 3 corridor into Bangor and the shipyard; Seattle-side living means a ferry-dependent lifestyle. Oak Harbor commutes are short, and Fairchild families in Airway Heights or Cheney reach the gate in minutes.