The average hotel cost in Washington State depends heavily on where and when you stay. A summer room in Seattle can cost far more than a winter room in Spokane or the Tri-Cities. KAYAK’s statewide page (checked October 26, 2026) shows an average double room of roughly $174 to $177 per night, rising from about $142 in January to about $210 in July.
Looking for the nation’s capital instead? See our guide to Washington, D.C. hotel costs.
Quick Answer
For 2026 planning, budget about $175 per night for an average double room in Washington State. KAYAK shows roughly $186 on Sunday to Thursday nights and $214 on Friday and Saturday nights. Official federal lodging benchmarks (GSA, FY2027) run from $113 in smaller towns to $255 in Seattle in summer, before taxes. KAYAK’s own figures do not fully reconcile, so treat them as rough planning numbers.
Key Takeaways
- KAYAK shows a statewide average double room near $174 to $177 per night.
- January is the cheapest month on KAYAK (about $142) and July the most expensive (about $210).
- Monday (about $169) is the cheapest stay night and Friday (about $203) the most expensive.
- Federal lodging benchmarks range from $113 (standard rate) to $255 (Seattle in summer), before taxes.
- Lodging taxes vary by city and county, so compare the final total, not just the nightly rate.
What Is the Average Hotel Cost in Washington State in 2026?
There is no official statewide consumer average, so hotel-search data is the best starting point. KAYAK’s Washington page reports the figures below. They come from recent searches and change often, and the page itself lists a $174 average in one section and $177 in another.
| Measure | KAYAK figure (checked October 26, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Average double room | About $174 (FAQ section: $177) |
| Cheapest month | January, about $142 |
| Most expensive month | July, about $210 |
| Cheapest stay night | Monday, about $169 |
| Most expensive stay night | Friday, about $203 |
| Sunday to Thursday average | About $186 |
| Friday and Saturday average | About $214 |
| 4-star average | About $214 |
| 5-star average | About $571 |
KAYAK’s lowest current “from” prices include about $47 in Spokane, $54 near SeaTac, and $87 in Seattle. These are single-date minimums, not averages, and they can disappear quickly.
Note: KAYAK’s page is not fully consistent. For example, its overall average is below both its weeknight and weekend averages. Use these numbers as rough planning ranges, not guarantees.
Hotel Cost Benchmarks by Washington City
For a second, independent reference point, the General Services Administration’s FY2027 lodging allowances (effective October 1, 2026) list a maximum nightly lodging rate for federal travel in each locality, excluding taxes. They are reimbursement limits rather than hotel-market averages, but they show how much more expensive some parts of the state are.
| Locality | Lower benchmark | Higher benchmark | When the higher rate applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle (King County) | $188 | $255 | June through October |
| Tacoma (Pierce County) | $143 | $143 | No seasonal change |
| Spokane | $126 | $126 | No seasonal change |
| Vancouver (Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania) | $161 | $161 | No seasonal change |
| Olympia and Tumwater | $149 | $176 | June through August |
| Everett and Lynnwood | $120 | $147 | June through August |
| Ocean Shores | $136 | $155 | July and August |
| Port Angeles and Port Townsend | $131 | $252 | June through September |
| Richland and Pasco | $136 | $136 | No seasonal change |
| All other locations (standard rate) | $113 | $113 | No seasonal change |
Locations without their own listing fall under the $113 standard rate unless they sit in a listed county. These figures show why a single statewide number is only a starting point: the same night can be benchmarked at $113 in a small town and $255 in Seattle.
When Are Washington Hotels Cheapest?
On KAYAK, January is the cheapest month (about $142 per night) and July the most expensive (about $210). That is a gap of roughly $68 a night for the same state. The federal benchmarks show a similar summer pattern in Seattle ($188 for November through May, $255 for June through October) and a sharp jump on the Olympic Peninsula from $131 to $252 between June and September.
Day of the week matters too. KAYAK lists Monday as the cheapest stay night (about $169) and Friday as the most expensive (about $203). Sunday to Thursday stays average about $186, compared with about $214 on Friday and Saturday.
- Shift your dates: Moving a summer trip into winter or spring can cut the nightly rate considerably in the most visited areas.
- Stay midweek: Starting on Sunday or Monday is usually cheaper than a Friday arrival.
- Check event weekends: Festivals, sports, and conventions can override the usual seasonal pattern.
- Book refundable: KAYAK suggests booking at least a day ahead, which is not much guidance. For summer weekends and events, reserve a refundable rate early and keep checking prices.
How Much Do Budget and Luxury Hotels Cost in Washington?
KAYAK puts the statewide 4-star average at about $214 per night and the 5-star average at about $571. It does not list a 2-star or 3-star average, but its lowest current “from” prices are about $76 for 3-star hotels and $97 for 4-star hotels, with budget motels from about $47. Those are minimums for specific dates, so expect typical prices to be higher.
Cheap rooms are usually in Spokane, near SeaTac airport, or in smaller cities, while the highest prices cluster in downtown Seattle during summer. Always confirm whether a low price is refundable, for how many guests, and whether parking is extra.
Where to Stay in Washington by Region and Budget
- Seattle: The most expensive major market, with a federal benchmark of $188 to $255. See our Seattle hotel price guide.
- Spokane: A lower-cost city with a flat $126 benchmark and some of the state’s lowest “from” prices. See our Spokane hotel price guide.
- Tacoma, Olympia, and Everett: Benchmarks of $120 to $176 make them common alternatives to Seattle if you can handle the drive or train.
- Leavenworth and the Cascades: Small mountain towns can fill up on festival and holiday weekends. See our Leavenworth hotel price guide.
- Coast and Olympic Peninsula: Summer demand can sharply raise prices, as the Port Angeles and Ocean Shores benchmarks show.
Taxes and Fees on Washington Hotel Bookings
Since May 12, 2025, the FTC Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees has required sellers of short-term lodging to display the total price including calculable mandatory charges. Government taxes and optional extras can still be added later.
Lodging taxes in Washington depend on the city and county. The hotel-software site RoomMaster reports a total of about 15.7% for Seattle in 2026, but we could not verify that against the Washington Department of Revenue, so check the department’s published lodging-tax rates for your destination. As an illustration only, a displayed $200 room with a 15.7% lodging tax would come to about $231.40 before parking or optional services.
Warning: Do not apply one city’s tax rate to another. Check the final price breakdown, parking policy, deposit, cancellation deadline, and occupancy limit before you pay.
Ways to Save on a Washington State Hotel
- Compare equivalent rates: Match room type, cancellation terms, and taxes before choosing the lowest price.
- Look beyond Seattle: Tacoma, Everett, and Spokane benchmarks run well below Seattle’s summer limit, though transit time matters.
- Travel off-peak: January through spring is generally cheaper than July on KAYAK’s data.
- Start midweek: Monday and Sunday starts are cheaper than Friday on KAYAK’s data.
- Count parking: A cheaper hotel that charges for parking may cost more overall than one near transit.
- Recheck before the deadline: Book refundable, then check again and rebook only if the full terms are better.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a hotel cost per night in Washington State?
KAYAK’s statewide page shows an average double room of roughly $174 to $177 per night, with Sunday to Thursday near $186 and Friday and Saturday near $214. Prices vary widely by city, season, and room type.
What is the cheapest month for a hotel in Washington?
KAYAK lists January as the cheapest month at about $142 per night. July is the most expensive at about $210.
Is Seattle more expensive than the rest of Washington?
Yes, based on federal benchmarks. Seattle is $188 to $255 per night, compared with $126 in Spokane, $143 in Tacoma, and $113 for the standard rate. These are reimbursement limits, not market prices, but they show the pattern.
What is the cheapest day to stay in a Washington hotel?
KAYAK lists Monday as the cheapest stay night at about $169 and Friday as the most expensive at about $203.
Are taxes included in Washington hotel prices?
Mandatory fees must be included in the displayed total under the FTC rule, but government taxes may be added later. Lodging taxes vary by city and county, so check the final price breakdown before paying.
Conclusion
A sensible 2026 budget for a Washington State hotel is roughly $175 per night for an average double room, with Seattle summers and Olympic Peninsula summers running much higher and smaller cities running lower. Add lodging taxes and any parking or optional charges to find the real cost.
To spend less, travel in winter or spring, start your stay on a Sunday or Monday, compare Seattle against nearby cities, and book a refundable rate you can recheck. Always confirm the current price for your exact dates.
Sources
- KAYAK: Washington Hotels — consumer-market price snapshot checked October 26, 2026 (the page’s own sections are not fully consistent).
- GSA: FY2027 Washington Per Diem Rates — official federal lodging benchmarks by locality and month, before taxes.
- Federal Trade Commission: Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees FAQ — total-price and mandatory-fee requirements for short-term lodging.
- RoomMaster: Seattle hotel tax — reported 2026 Seattle lodging-tax rate (not independently verified).
