The honest financial comparison, what your Washington equity buys in the Austin-San Antonio corridor, and the practical steps before you list your home
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Talk to a Specialist →Washington State has no income tax — the same headline advantage Texas offers. But Washington does have an estate tax that affects estates over $2.193 million, a capital gains tax of 7% on gains over $262,000 enacted in 2022, and property taxes that have risen sharply with Puget Sound area appreciation. Seattle, Bellevue, and Eastside homeowners who purchased before 2015 are sitting on $400,000–$900,000 in equity. The move to Texas eliminates WA capital gains tax risk on investment accounts, provides comparable no-income-tax status, and accesses 55+ communities at price points far below the Puget Sound market.
| Tax Category | Washington (Puget Sound) | Texas (65+ primary) |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | $0 (no income tax) | $0 |
| Capital gains tax (over $262K gains) | 7% on excess (enacted 2022) | None |
| Property tax on $500K home | ~$4,000–$6,000/yr | ~$4,800–$6,500/yr (slightly higher) |
| Estate tax | Yes — estates over $2.19M | None |
For WA buyers with significant investment portfolios, the capital gains tax elimination is the primary financial argument. Property taxes are comparable. The estate tax difference matters for buyers with estates approaching or exceeding $2 million. Consult a CPA on your specific situation before the move.
Seattle and Eastside homeowners frequently arrive with $500,000–$1,000,000+ in proceeds. Trilogy at Rough Hollow is the most natural landing spot for WA buyers accustomed to lake and water culture — the Lake Travis marina provides the water relationship Puget Sound buyers do not want to fully surrender. Sun City Texas is the choice for WA buyers primarily motivated by financial optimization and golf access.
| Texas Community | Price Range | HOA | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun City Texas (Georgetown) | $300K–$700K | ~$100/mo | Value, 54-hole golf, maximum amenity scale |
| Kissing Tree (San Marcos) | $350K–$700K | ~$263/mo | Hill Country terrain, halfway between Austin and San Antonio |
| Trilogy at Rough Hollow | $600K–$1.5M+ | $350–$450/mo | Lake Travis access, luxury product, closest to Austin |
| Villas at Kissing Tree | $270K–$450K | $255/mo (lawn incl.) | Best value entry to Kissing Tree amenities |
We connect buyers with agents who know this market from the inside — real cost math, honest comparisons, and what's actually happening right now. Every agent is personally vetted by the Nova55Living founder. No scripts, no pressure.
Washington buyers tend toward either Trilogy at Rough Hollow (water-orientation, premium product, tech culture proximity in Austin) or Kissing Tree (Hill Country terrain resonates with PNW buyers who value natural settings and outdoor walking culture).
Tell us your Washington home value, income profile, and target Texas community — we'll run the full financial comparison.
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