Washington's general sales tax rate is 6.5%, which is similar to the general sales tax rate in all other states that have one. Most other states, in addition to

Washington's general sales tax rate is 6.5%, which is similar to the general sales tax rate in all other states that have one. Most other states, in addition to a 5-7% general sales tax, also tax personal income. I've looked, but have failed to find what the taxpayers in those states are getting for their overall higher taxes. As an aside, OR to the south of WA doesn't have a sales tax at all, but rather an income tax, which would come out to about 9% for me if I lived there. In WA I pay about a 9% sales tax on things I purchase excepting housing and food. When you do the math, whether I'm rich or I'm poor; my taxes are lower in WA - unless I'm spending obscene amounts of money buying stuff other than housing and food (edit: or don't have an income but do purchase goods and services). Also, I don't know if it's related or not, but WA does have a much more vibrant economy than OR and most other states with an income tax.