Leaving Washington. Landing in Idaho.

Why families are making the move

Freedom on paper: the laws that actually differ

Second Amendment

• Idaho: permitless (constitutional) carry. Most adults can carry concealed without a permit. No magazine limits, no "assault weapons" ban, no red-flag law, and strong firearm preemption that keeps the rules consistent statewide.
• Washington: a 10-round magazine limit, a 2023 ban on the sale of many semiautomatic rifles, a 10-day waiting period with a required safety-training certificate, and a permit-to-purchase requirement that takes effect May 1, 2027. Washington's direction on gun policy is one of the most-cited reasons our Idaho-bound clients give.

Homeschooling and school choice

• Idaho: among the least regulated homeschool states in America. No registration, no notification, no mandatory testing. Idaho also enacted the Parental Choice Tax Credit in 2025, a refundable credit of up to $5,000 per student (up to $7,500 for students with disabilities) for private school and homeschool expenses, upheld by the Idaho Supreme Court in early 2026.
• Washington: more regulated. Parents generally file an annual declaration of intent, meet a qualification requirement, and administer yearly standardized testing or an approved assessment.

Schools

What surprises Washingtonians (so nothing surprises you)

• Idaho taxes income and Washington does not. It is a flat 5.3 percent, far simpler than a graduated tax, but it is a real line item. Budget for it.
• North Idaho is not cheaper than Spokane. The lake premium around Coeur d'Alene is real, and Kootenai County often prices above Spokane County.
• Sales tax is much lower (around 6 percent versus roughly 9.5 percent in Washington), but Idaho does tax groceries where Washington exempts them. Idaho offsets that with a per-person grocery tax credit, so everyday food is closer to a wash than the headline rate suggests.
• No estate tax in Idaho is a meaningful difference. Washington's estate tax starts at about $2.19 million, so families with a home, a business, and retirement savings can cross that line more easily than they expect.
• Winters are real, especially in North Idaho, on par with or heavier than Spokane. The Treasure Valley is high desert and milder.
• Inventory is tight and homes move quickly, so be ready to act when the right one appears.
• Rural land means water rights, wells, and septic. Do your due diligence before buying acreage.

Frequently asked questions