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State Municipal Index • WA
Washington Property Tax Drift Index
State Avg Drift Score
57/100
Washington Municipal Risk Briefing
State Comptroller & US Census Bureau (WA)August 2026
Washington maintains an average TaxDrift Score of 57/100 across monitored jurisdictions. Overlapping municipal bond issuances and assessment equalization rollbacks determine local millage carrying costs under statutory rules.
Population
7,812,880
Avg Effective Tax Rate
0.9%
Total Tracked Muni Debt
$31.3B
Counties Monitored
3
Statutory Tax Caps & Voter-Approval Rules (WA)
1% regular property tax levy limit caps annual taxing district budget growth.
Audited Counties in Washington
Washington County Tax Drift Leaderboard
3 Jurisdictions Audited| Rank | Jurisdiction | Drift Score | Risk Tier | Muni Debt / Cap | CAD Lag Spread | 3-Yr Tax Shock | Audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | King County, WA | 58.8 | Elevated | $8,400 | +23.0% | +$175,895/yr | View |
| #2 | Snohomish County, WA | 56.3 | Elevated | $7,100 | +22.4% | +$139,335/yr | View |
| #3 | Pierce County, WA | 56 | Elevated | $6,800 | +21.0% | +$111,431/yr | View |