As we get into the full swing of winter, many folks are hitting the slopes, and Washington has stunning mountains and numerous resorts to do just that.
Some might be thinking about making the Evergreen State their permanent home. If that's you, you could be wondering about the financial side of living there — specifically, yearly property taxes and tax advantages.
Not only do residents enjoy no state income taxes (except for a controversial Washington capital gains tax for some high earners), but property tax bills could be lower than where you currently live. With cultural hotspots such as Seattle and Spokane, the birthplace of Starbucks might be the perfect fit for you.
Here are the top 10 cheapest places to live in Washington state.
Cheapest places to live in Washington
After ranking property tax bills from highest to lowest per county in Washington, one thing is almost a guarantee: Rural areas are the cheapest. You can generally find more affordable living in the countryside than in the hustle and bustle of metropolitan cities.
But if you’re game for enjoying mountains, beaches and historic sites (and maybe want to commute for fancy lattes), check out these cheap places to live in Washington.
Note: Kiplinger used 2025 data presented by the Tax Foundation (sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau) to find the cheapest counties to live in Washington.
Pacific County
Median property tax bill: $2,250
Median home price: $274,000
Among the counties on our cheapest places list, Pacific County has the highest median property tax bill at $2,250. However, the median home price is fairly affordable compared with other counties listed, at just $274,000, according to the Tax Foundation.
Pacific County is famously known for its stunning coastline and abundant wildlife, especially in the pristine Willapa Bay (renowned for its oysters and salmon). The county offers a coastal lifestyle, where seafood lovers can enjoy long walks on the Long Beach Peninsula, view historic lighthouses, and spend afternoons clam-digging in charming seaside towns.
If you’re interested in fresh shellfish and abundant biodiversity, Pacific might be your next favorite spot.
Columbia County
Median property tax bill: $2,215
Median home price: $256,100
Columbia home prices are relatively low, at $256,100. Median property taxes can also be affordable compared to the rest of the state, at around $2,215, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Columbia is the second-least populous county in Washington, but don’t let its uncrowded vibe scare you away. Stunning Blue Mountain scenery provides a quaint backdrop to hiking, skiing and camping in this historic county. Residents also enjoy prime wildlife viewing in the county’s state park and refuge areas.
Your new move might be Columbia if you love wildlife and want to skip the busy slopes elsewhere.
Okanogan County
Median property tax bill: $2,194
Median home price: $284,200
Okanogan County borders the Columbia River in the south and Canada in the north, making it the largest county in Washington state. Home prices sit comfortably at $284,200, with median property tax bills just under $2,200, according to Tax Foundation data for 2025.
Have you ever wanted to go ice fishing or walk on a frozen lake? You can during an Okanogan County winter. Residents also snowboard and ski at the county’s Loup Loup Ski Bowl.
When the weather gets warmer, Okanogan is popular for its scenic pathways through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The surrounding area boasts almost 3,000 miles of trails that bikers and hikers can use to view alpine vistas and the Okanogan River.
For year-round fun, check out Okanogan County — it might be the perfect place for your family, and your budget.
Adams County
Median property tax bill: $2,104
Median home price: $251,300
Named after John Adams, the second president of the United States, Adams County sports low home prices, with the median just above $250,000. The median property tax bill is similarly “cheap” for Washington state, barely above $2,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Adams County offers something for the whole family. During the summer, visit Ritzville Water Park, with slides, heated pools and splash pads for the kids.
Once the weather cools, families may enjoy Columbia Plateau Trail State Park (a former railway line that's great for cross-country skiing) and other recreational and park areas. Burrough House and the local museum offer a unique perspective into the area's history.
Come to Adams for the low property tax bill, and stay for the local charm and family fun.
Wahkiakum County
Median property tax bill: $2,084
Median home price: $344,500
Wahkiakum has the most expensive median home price on our list, at $344,500. However, depending on where you’re from, that might not be too bad — especially since the median property tax bill is barely above $2,000, per the Tax Foundation.
Wahkiakum County’s home prices might be slightly higher due to its direct coastal and river access to the famed Columbia River. This location offers unique historical benefits: Residents can walk or bike parts of the Lewis & Clark Expedition trail, camp along the unspoiled riverfront or satisfy a history buff’s heart by exploring the numerous historic pioneer settlements.
If history’s your thing and you want a piece of untapped natural beauty, Wahkiakum County could be your next move.
Pend Oreille County
Median property tax bill: $2,048
Median home price: $307,800
Located in the northeast corner alongside Idaho and Canada, Pend Oreille County has a relatively low median property tax bill just below $2,050. Yet home prices are generally higher than in other places on this list, with the median at $307,800, per the latest 2025 data.
Pend Oreille has a rich mining industry, reflected in its frontier-feeling vibes and activities to do.
For instance, attractions such as Gardner Cave bring in thousands of tourists per year, with Metaline Falls — a historic mining town — near the river and dam area in the county. While Pend Oreille has significantly less mining in recent years, residents still enjoy outdoor trails, camping, and fishing in the Selkirk Mountains.
Whether you’ve come for the low property taxes or the scenic outdoor scapes, Pend Oreille can be safely described as “anything but boring.”
Stevens County
Median property tax bill: $2,016
Median home price: $308,000
Two hours north of Spokane is Stevens County. The median property tax bill in the county is $2,016, and home prices are just above $300,000, per the latest information from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Largely covered by the Colville National Forest, Stevens County is known for natural beauty that is sure to enthuse outdoor adventurers. Hunting, hiking, fishing, and exploring are all part of the Stevens County experience, plus the area hosts an annual county fair and a rodeo in the summer.
If you’re looking for a classic northeastern Washington experience, that’s not too far from a large metropolitan area, give Stevens County a shot — the experience might surprise you.
Ferry County
Median property tax bill: $1,792
Median home price: $274,500
Ferry home prices are relatively low compared with other places in Washington, at just around $274,500. Median property tax bills are also considered cheap at under $1,800 per year, according to the Tax Foundation. The property tax bill is also cheaper than in most surrounding Washington counties.
Lake enthusiasts might fall in love with Ferry. Its centerpiece, Curlew Lake, offers year-round recreation, including swimming, waterskiing, kayaking and excellent fishing (trout, bass, and even tiger muskies).
Camping at Curlew Lake State Park adds features such as mountain viewing and birdwatching. Even more unique, Ferry residents can go fossil hunting at a public dig site and take home plant and insect fossils that are almost 50 million years old.
If you’ve always had paleontology dreams as a kid or want to live out your boating dreams on the lake, you might come to Ferry County to realize your purpose and save a buck or two on property taxes.
Lincoln County
Median property tax bill: $1,621
Median home price: $272,300
Homes can be pretty affordable in Lincoln, with a median price of around $272,300, per 2025 U.S. Census Bureau data.
Median property taxes are also quite cheap for Washington state, with a median bill of $1,621.
Known as an agricultural hub, Lincoln has rolling, amber fields of grain, access to Lake Roosevelt and stunning geological formations. The area’s most famous natural attraction is the Scablands, which technically range across several counties. These unique “scarred” landscapes were made by huge floods carved by Ice Age glaciers, and the area is also home to Dry Falls, which at one point was one of the world’s largest waterfalls.
Lincoln County residents can hike, fish, and boat, take in scenic vistas and enjoy the great outdoors in a low-density population area. Come to Lincoln for the attractions, and stay for the great outdoors and natural historic draws.
Garfield County
Median property tax bill: $1,306
Median home price: $214,200
Garfield County is the cheapest place to live in Washington state, according to the Tax Foundation, with a median property tax bill of $1,306 and home prices around $214,200 for 2025.
In addition to being low-cost, Garfield is also very rural, standing as Washington’s least populous county according to the latest census.
However, don't let the solitude mislead you. The area’s year-round recreational activities at the Umatilla National Forest, combined with the scenic Snake River, offer a vast playground for ATV riding, hunting, camping and water sports.
Residents can also enjoy local culture with events put on by the Blue Mountain Artisan Guild. The county is also famous for its wild harvests: You can go mushroom or huckleberry picking (though always check local regulations and permit requirements before gathering forest products).
Looking for plenty of space, arts, and culture? The cheapest place in Washington state might be your next move.
