The state of Washington is an outlier with its reliance on sales and property tax, as opposed to corporate or personal income tax. Seattle and Tacoma rank first and second for highest combined state and local sales tax rates among major U.S. cities, according to the Tax Foundation.
How does the total sales tax rate vary from city to city within Pierce County? Which residents pay the most? The News Tribune put together a comprehensive list as of 2026, according to the state Department of Revenue.
Sales taxes in Washington consist of two parts: the state portion and the local portion, per the DOR. The state sales-and-use tax rate is 6.5% and goes to the state’s general fund to support education, human services, and other programs provided by the state…