By Tanya Kerr, M.Ed., Broker Associate, REALTOR® | T. Kerr Property Group | Updated May 2026
Washington-to-Texas is the second-largest relocation pipeline into Central Texas, behind California. The pattern is consistent: Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, and tech-adjacent professionals leaving Seattle metro for Austin’s job market, lower cost of living, and warmer weather.
We’ve helped families move from Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, Kirkland, and downtown Seattle. This guide covers what we tell each of them.
Why Washingtonians Move to Texas
Washington has no state income tax, which is one fewer arrow in Texas’s quiver, but the comparison still favors Texas in several important ways.
Housing costs. Seattle metro median home prices hover around $850,000 to $950,000 in 2026. Austin metro median is roughly $440K-$460K, and Williamson County often runs below the metro median.
Capital gains. Washington added a 7% capital gains tax in 2022 on long-term gains above $250,000. For Washingtonians selling stock, RSUs, or appreciated assets, Texas’s complete absence of state-level capital gains tax is a real benefit.
Climate. Some Washingtonians fall in love with Austin’s sunshine; others discover they actually liked the rain. Be honest with yourself about what energy you respond to.
Job market. Apple, Tesla, Oracle, Samsung, Meta, Google, and Amazon all have substantial Austin operations. Several of our recent Washington clients are tech transferees moving with the company.
Space and lifestyle. A Bellevue family selling a $1.4M home with $700K equity has very different options here. A 4-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot home on a quarter-acre in Wolf Ranch Georgetown costs less than a 1,500-square-foot teardown in Redmond.
The Tax Math (and Why Capital Gains Matters)
Washington and Texas both have no state income tax. So why does the tax comparison still favor Texas for many movers?
Capital gains. Washington’s 7% capital gains tax kicks in on gains above $250,000 for long-term sales. Texas has zero capital gains tax at the state level. For someone selling $500,000 in long-held stock, that’s a $17,500 difference.
Property taxes. This goes the other direction. Washington’s median property tax rate is roughly 0.9%; Texas runs 1.8%-2.5%. The good news: Texas voters approved Proposition 13 (SB 4) in November 2025, raising the homestead exemption significantly.
Sales tax. Washington’s combined state and local sales tax averages 9.3%. Texas combined runs 8.25%.
Net effect. For households with substantial investment income or vesting equity, Texas typically wins. For families with ordinary W-2 income and modest investments, the comparison is close, and the housing cost difference often becomes the deciding factor.
Climate Adjustment: The Real Story
Most Washingtonians moving to Austin are excited about the sunshine. Some find their first August harder than expected.
Sunshine. Austin averages 300+ days of sunshine per year. Seattle averages roughly 150.
The summer reality. From late May through September, expect daytime highs over 95°F, with stretches over 100°F. If you’ve never lived through Texas summer, plan for a real adjustment.
Winter. Mild and pleasant most years. Occasional cold snaps. Snow is rare but possible.
Storms. Texas gets intense thunderstorms, hail, and the occasional tornado.
Allergies. Cedar fever (December-February), oak pollen (spring), and ragweed (fall) hit newcomers hard.
Best Central Texas Suburbs for Washington Transplants
Bellevue/Redmond/Sammamish tech workers typically choose Cedar Park, Leander, or northwest Austin for proximity to Apple, Google, and Indeed.
Microsoft/Amazon families wanting more land often respond to Wolf Ranch Georgetown and the larger-lot communities of Highland Estates, River Chase, and Cimarron Hills.
Seattle urbanites who valued walkable neighborhoods sometimes find their fit in Old Town Georgetown.
Active retirees and pre-retirees often love Sun City Georgetown.
Tech families with school-age kids gravitate toward Round Rock ISD or Leander ISD.
How to Plan a Washington-to-Austin Move
6 months out: Get pre-approved with a Texas-licensed lender. Begin neighborhood research. Plan a scouting trip.
3 months out: List your Washington home if applicable. Book movers ($7,000-$14,000 for a 3-bedroom home).
60 days out: Lock in your Texas home or commit to a temporary rental. Schedule utilities for your start date.
Move week: Closing day. Movers arrive. We coordinate remote closing for clients who can’t be in Texas in person.
First 30 days: Get Texas driver’s license. Register vehicles. Update voter registration. File the homestead exemption with your county appraisal district between January 1 and April 30 next year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is moving from Seattle to Austin worth it in 2026?
For most Seattle-area households, yes, particularly tech workers with substantial equity compensation. The housing cost difference alone often funds the move and sets up better long-term wealth building.
How much do I save in capital gains by moving from Washington to Texas?
Washington taxes long-term capital gains above $250,000 at 7%. Texas has no state capital gains tax. For a tech worker selling $500,000 in long-held stock, that’s $17,500 saved at the state level. For someone selling $1M, that’s $52,500.
How do property taxes compare between Washington and Texas?
Washington’s median effective property tax rate is around 0.9%. Texas runs 1.8%-2.5%. On a $750,000 home, that’s roughly $6,750/year in Washington versus $13,500-$18,750/year in Texas.
Will I miss the Pacific Northwest weather?
Some people do. Most Washingtonians who move to Austin report missing the cool gray winters less than expected and the long summer evenings more. The hottest stretch is genuinely brutal if you’re not used to it.
Which Austin suburb is best for Microsoft or Amazon employees moving to Austin?
It depends on your remote/hybrid arrangement. If you’ll be visiting an Austin office occasionally, Cedar Park, Leander, or Round Rock keep you close to major tech corridors. If you’re fully remote, Wolf Ranch Georgetown gives you more home and land for your dollar.
About T. Kerr Property Group
We’ve helped families relocate to Central Texas from California, Washington, New York, and beyond, handling every step from virtual tours to remote closing. T. Kerr Property Group is a woman-owned, mission-centered real estate team serving Georgetown, Round Rock, Austin, and the surrounding Central Texas area. Our combined team brings 800+ five-star reviews, 2,500+ homes sold, $1 billion+ in total sales production, and 65+ years of combined experience. We are proud PT50 winners, recognized by the Austin Business Journal Residential Real Estate Awards, featured in Real Producers and FOX 7 Austin, voted Best in Round Rock and Georgetown’s Best, and known as one of the top real estate teams in Williamson County and Travis County. Our focus is simple: help people make smart financial decisions through real estate with expert guidance, fierce advocacy, and integrity every step of the way.
Ready to talk? Call (512) 851-8350 or visit our contact page at https://tkerrrealestate.com/contact-us/.