Local Cost-of-Living Snapshot (the Eastside)

It's expensive on housing but has a hidden offset: no state income tax. For a high earner relocating from a high-income-tax state, the tax saving can offset a large part of the housing premium — run the combined number, not just the home price.

It raises your take-home on the same gross versus a high-tax state, a meaningful annual sum for an $800K+ household. That saving is exactly what makes the higher housing cost more manageable than the sticker price suggests.

A higher sales tax, and on the sell side the WA REET (a graduated transfer tax). These don't erase the income-tax benefit for high earners, but they belong in an honest total-cost comparison.

King County property tax (rates vary — verify), utilities (PSE), childcare, and commute costs. These lines make the true monthly higher than the payment, so budget them alongside housing.

Compare after-tax cost: housing plus property and sales tax minus the income-tax saving, against your current all-in cost. Many high earners find the net difference smaller than the housing gap implies — sometimes favorable.

Build the combined housing-plus-tax comparison against your current location with your actual income. That after-tax modeling is part of a Real Estate Review.