How much does smoking cost in Washington? (2026)
$12.29
average pack in Washington (Jan 2026), #12 most expensive of 51. State excise $3.02 + federal $1.01.
$4,486a year for a pack a day
4.4%average yearly price rise, 2016–2026
$55,649roughly, the next 10 years at that pace
A pack a day since…
| Started | Spent (real Washington prices) | Same money in the S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $34,562 | $73,219 |
| 2006 | $59,938 | $237,698 |
| 1996 | $74,194 | $379,075 |
Monthly, through December 2025. S&P 500 total returns with dividends (A. Damodaran, NYU Stern). Historical illustration, not a prediction.
50+ years of pack prices in Washington
| 1970 | $0.40 |
| 1980 | $0.67 |
| 1990 | $1.77 |
| 2000 | $3.82 |
| 2010 | $7.61 |
| 2020 | $8.58 |
| 2026 | $12.29 |
Sources: CDC, The Tax Burden on Tobacco (1970–2019); Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (2020–2026).
Join the trend
In Washington, 8.0% of adults smoke, down from 17.5% in 2011. 25.4% are former smokers: more people in Washington have quit than still smoke.
CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2011–2025.
All 50 states and DC · Made by a smoker, for smokers.