The two main ways to compare taxes and spending across states are per capita and as a share of personal income. The U.S. Census Bureau released state and local finance data for fiscal year 2021 a few weeks ago. According to the data, Washington’s state and local taxes per capita increased 8.2% to $6,663 in 2021, which was the 14^th highest in the country. Washington’s state and local spending per capita increased 3.2% to $11,964 in 2021, which was the 13^th highest in the country. Although taxes per capita and spending per capita increased in Washington in 2021, our national rankings declined slightly.

If taxes and spending are measured as a share of personal income (PI), Washington’s ranks among the states are lower. This is because Washington is a wealthy state, with the sixth highest personal income per capita. In 2021, Washington’s taxes as a share of PI were 10.0%, which was the 30^th highest. Washington’s spending as a share of PI was 17.9%, which was the 32^nd highest.