Living in Washington

#7 in population growth

Should you move to Washington?

Washington, also known as the Evergreen State, is a place of stunning natural beauty, innovative industries, and diverse cultural experiences. From the bustling cityscape of Seattle to the serene vistas of the San Juan Islands, Washington’s landscape is as varied as it is breathtaking.

At the heart of Washington’s economy is the tech industry. Seattle and its surroundings are home to tech behemoths like Microsoft and Amazon. The state is also a major player in the aerospace industry, with Boeing’s largest manufacturing complex located in Everett.

But it’s not all tech and airplanes. Washington is the nation’s leading producer of apples, cherries, and hops, and its viticulture sector is flourishing, with more than 1,000 wineries across the state. The port cities of Seattle and Tacoma serve as major gateways for U.S. trade with Asia, supporting a strong logistics and shipping sector.

Living in Washington offers the best of both urban and outdoor lifestyles. Seattle, known for its vibrant arts scene, hip coffee culture, and thriving music history (think grunge and Jimi Hendrix), is as dynamic as cities come. The state also offers unparalleled outdoor adventures – whether it’s hiking in the Cascade Mountains, exploring the rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula, or enjoying a scenic ferry ride on the Puget Sound.

Washington’s commitment to education is evident in its excellent public and private institutions, including the University of Washington, known for its top-ranked medical school and computer science programs.

If a state with economic dynamism, outdoor beauty, and a strong cup of coffee sounds enticing, Washington might just be the place for you. Do keep in mind, though, the high cost of living in some areas and get ready to embrace the frequent rain!

#13 in population

Population

7,785,786

National Avg 6,652,315

#29 in population

Population Per Square Mile

116

National Avg 206.5 persons/square mile

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How Does Washington Score?

F
Home Affordability
D
Cost of Living
C
Diversity

LEARN ABOUT
RANKINGS & DATA

Metropolitans

Living in Washington

Climate

How Does Washington Compare?

#48
in Sunny Days
#29
in Annual Rainfall
#2
in Daytime Humidity

Healthcare

#7

How Does Washington Compare?

#7
in Healthcare
#2
in Available Beds
#23
in Doctors Per Resident

3

Children's Hospitals

3

VA Medical Centers

7

VA Clinics

Washington Marijuana Laws

Cost of Living

#39

How Does Washington Compare?

#39
in Cost of Living
#2
in Minimum Hourly Wage
#40
in Living Wage

Washington State Taxes

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Essential New Mover Steps

What costs and challenges will you face when relocating to Washington? Start your journey by preparing with these key steps.

eMortgage connects you with up to 5 competing mortgage lenders through a quick, streamlined process.

Renter tested. Landlord approved. Starting from $5/mo.

Moving costs can add up quickly. Start budgeting by tackling one of your largest costs first by requesting a free online quote from 1-800-Pack-Rat.

Education in Washington

#12

Washington School Districts

8th Grade Proficiency (2022)

Ranked #16 in Mathematics

Basic Proficiency

64%

Proficient or Above

28%

Ranked #9 in Reading

Basic Proficiency

71%

Proficient or Above

32%

Education Attainment

High School Degree
91.9%
Bachelors Degree
37.3%

Raising a Family?

See if any of these family-friendly places are a fit for yours.

Places (Cities & Towns)

Get to Know Washington

State Capital

Olympia

Area Codes

206, 253, 360, 425, 509, 564

Time Zone

Pacific Time Zone

Number of Counties

39

Land Area (square miles)

66,455

Motto

Al-ki (By and by)

State Bird

Willow goldfinch

Housing

#47
#47 in home affordability

Median Home Value

$504,200

National $440,300

#47 in rent affordability

Median Rent

$1,439

National $1,702

Average Homeownership cost

$646

Taxes, Insurance, Utilities, HOA (no mortgage)

Total Households

2,931,841

Persons Per Household

2.55

Rent vs Own

Own 63.6%
Rent 36.4%

Economy

#8 in household income

Median Household Income

82,400

National $70,784

#22 in labor participation
% in Labor Force
63.7%
Poverty Rate
9.9%

Industries by Revenue

in $1,000s

Health & Social Assistance Revenue

$56,442,218

Accomodations & Food Revenue

$21,068,612

Transportation & Warehousing Revenue

$21,845,661

Per Capita Retail Sales

21,579

Counties

Diversity

#20
White alone
77.5%
Black or African American alone
4.5%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
2%
Asian alone
10%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
0.8%
Two or More Races
5.2%
Hispanic or Latino
13.7%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
66%

Foreign Born Persons

14.7%

Veterans

509722

Persons Under 5 years
5.6%
Persons Under 18 years
21.7%
Persons 65 years and over
16.2%

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