Essential Things To Know Before Moving To Washington
Is Washington State a good place to live? To decide, I will share what you must know before you pack up and move.
By doing so, you can determine the answer to this critical question by examining the pros and cons of living in Washington with me. Let’s get started.
Is Washington State A Good Place To Live?
Washington is a great place to live, work, and play. Residents benefit from the state’s excellent economy, favorable income tax policies, temperate climate, incredible scenic beauty, and fantastic National Parks.
Local realtor Austin Robertson thinks living in Washington is a blast! However, he points out some downsides to living here, including high home prices, cloudy, rainy, dark winters, outrageous sales taxes, and the increasing incidence of wildfires. (source)
Next, here is how the answer to today’s question aligns with the pros and cons.
Pros And Cons Of Living In Washington State: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Living in Washington Pros | Living in Washington Cons |
| 1. Mountainous landscapes | 9. Cloudy and rainy weather |
| 2. Access to the Pacific Ocean | 10. High cost of living |
| 3. Amazing National Parks | 11. Stealth taxes |
| 4. Vibrant econonmy | 12. Bad driving conditions |
| 4. Income tax breaks | 13. Heavy traffic congestion |
| 6. Temperate climate | 14. Homelessness |
| 7. Diversity and inclusion | 15. Higher crime rates |
| 8. Fun & emotional satisfaction |
Next, let’s dive deeper into today’s pros and cons of life after moving to Washington. Then, you can better understand whether or not Washington is an excellent place to live.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Pros Of Living In Washington State
1. Living In Washington Means Access To Majestic Mountains
Washington is one of the most beautiful states in which to live.
First, the state has plenty of mountains to enjoy. For example, the Cascade Mountain Range cuts through the west-central part of Washington from Canada to Oregon, dividing the state into two distinct geographical regions.
Furthermore, Washington’s 14,000-foot Mount Rainier is one of the tallest mountains in the United States.
More reading: The ten best states to live in
2. Moving To Washington Allows Easy Access To The Pacific Ocean
Washington state has miles of Pacific coastline. There is Puget Sound, a large inlet of the Pacific Ocean. Plus, hundreds of smaller inlets and bays are sculpted into the shoreline.
3. Amazing National Parks Are Located Within The State’s Boundaries
Washington is home to three national parks, including:
- Mount Rainier National Park
- Olympic National Park
- North Cascades National Park
And finally, this area has many state parks, recreation, and wilderness areas.
To sum it up, residents and visitors enjoy Washington’s rich natural beauty, consisting of the oceanfront, mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and streams.
More reading: The pros and cons of every state
4. Washington Has A Robust Economy With Diverse Employers And Job Opportunities
Living in Washington means having access to one of the largest state economies in the country. For example, Washington’s economy ranks in the top 10 states based on gross domestic product (GDP). Technology, retail, and manufacturing companies are well represented.
Furthermore, some of the nation’s largest and most well-known employers call Washington home. For example, companies that are headquartered here or otherwise contribute to jobs in a big way include:
- Alaska Airlines
- Amazon
- Boeing
- Costco
- Microsoft
- Nordstrom
- Starbucks
- Weyerhaeuser
So, spruce up your resume and get to work. I keep mine up to date using MyPerfectResume. It’s a great online tool for job searchers.
5. Washington Residents Enjoy Income Tax Breaks
Washington is one of only nine states that does not have a state income tax. Thus, you will keep more of the money you make and will not need to file a state tax return.
Next, the state does not have a corporate income tax either. This means that Washington is one of only a handful of states that do business this way.
As a result, living in Washington state has some substantial tax benefits.
6. Washington Has A Temperate Year Around Climate That The Locals Love
Washington’s population base is mainly on the coast, west of the Cascade Mountains.
In western Washington, the region’s weather is relatively mild. Summer days rarely rise above 80 degrees. However, warmer temperatures have become more common in recent years.
Winter daytime temperatures in western Washington seldom fall below 45°. Snowfall is infrequent.
Eastern Washington, as you move closer to the state of Idaho, experiences greater temperature extremes. For example, in Spokane, regional temperatures can rise to 100 degrees. While sub-zero temperatures are possible on winter nights.
Next, I have another good reason to live in Washington State. I call it the happiness factor.
7. Washington Residents Enjoy Diversity, Inclusion, And High Satisfaction
Living in Washington means experiencing a lot of diversity. Plus, the state has a very welcoming culture.
Furthermore, the growing population of transplants from other regions makes it easier to fit in after moving here.
Finally, Washington residents love living in this state. According to recent surveys, locals are delighted with their lives and lifestyles.
8. Washington’s Locals Like To Have A Good Time
Washington has nearly 300 breweries and 1,000 wineries and was one of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis.
For those who like to party it up a little, these items represent good reasons to move to Washington.
Next, I want to highlight the disadvantages of living in Washington to provide a balanced perspective. Unfortunately, I must revisit everyone’s favorite topic: the weather.
Cons Of Living In Washington State
9. Living In Washington Means Plenty Of Cloudy And Rainy Weather
They call Washington “The Evergreen State” because frequent precipitation in the western region keeps everything lush and green. On average, rainfall is higher than in many other states.
However, there is a more significant issue for some because life in Washington means cloudy skies for weeks. Yes, those damp, drizzly days come with plenty of cloud cover.
For example, Seattle is one of the cloudiest cities in the country. So, if you like plenty of bright, clear skies, you won’t get a lot of sun in this state.
Other states may have more suitable weather if Washington’s cloudy and damp conditions are not for you. For example, Nevada may be a better state to consider.
10. The Cost Of Living In Washington Is High
Washington’s average cost of living is expensive. So, if you are looking for a cheap state, Washington probably won’t be the place for you.
Let’s go through the budget issues one by one.
First, the real estate market is hot, and homes are expensive. For example, the median price of a house in Washington is about 40% higher than the comparable U.S. figure. (Sources: Redfin and the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis)
Second, Washington residents can’t escape the high price of living by renting. For example, apartment rents run almost 20% higher than the average of all states.
Finally, gasoline and groceries also cost more.
To save money, the cheapest places to live in Washington are the smaller cities and towns in the eastern part of the state.
11. Watch Out For Washington’s Stealth Taxes
After moving to Washington, you and your business (if you have one), will get hit with some sneaky taxes. After all, with no individual or corporate income tax, the state has to raise funds in some way to pay for government services.
Here is how they do it:
Washington has one of the highest sales taxes in the country, charging a combined state and average local rate that exceeds 9%. We use the cash rebate app from Rakuten to help offset this cost. Rakuten pays cash back on all of our online purchases.
Washington businesses take a hit because of the state’s business and occupation tax (B&O tax). Simply put, it is a tax on the sales your business generates.
Finally, Washington’s gas tax is one of the highest in the country. The tax significantly inflates gas prices when filling your car at the pump.
Since we are discussing gas for your car, here is another reason not to move here.
12. The State Is Known For Bad Driving Conditions
Washington ranks as the third-worst state for drivers, according to a study by WalletHub.
The state’s poor showing is due to steep gas prices, high rates of car theft, poor overall road quality, and brutal traffic.
More reading: The best Western states to live in
13. There Is Heavy Traffic Congestion In Some Areas Of Washington State
Washington’s Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area is notorious for traffic jams. The bridges across the waterways are especially problematic.
Thus, plan to spend plenty of time in your car if you must commute around Washington’s most populated and congested metropolitan area.
14. Living In Washington, Are Many Homeless People
Washington’s wealth and economic prosperity are abundant, but not everyone participates.
Unfortunately, the state has a large homeless population. Many homeless have migrated here because of the moderate year-round temperatures.
15. Washington Has Excessive Crime Rates
Washington also has a much higher-than-average crime rate. Both property crime and violent crime are a problem.
No matter where you live, it’s essential to consider how different factors at your location will impact your safety. Do your homework, and I’m sure you can find a safe place to live here.
Okay. That concludes my review of the pros and cons of Washington state. Let’s wrap it up with some final thoughts.
Pros And Cons Of Living In Washington – A Good Place To Live?
Washington is a great place to live. However, I hope this discussion has helped you carefully consider the following questions and how they pertain to your situation.
- Is Washington a good state to live in?
- Should I move to Washington?
- What is living in Washington like?
Best of luck deciding whether you choose to move here or elsewhere.
More Reading About Living In Washington And Beyond
If you liked reading about the reasons to move or not to move to Washington State, then you may enjoy some related articles, including:
- Best low-cost states to live in
- Pros and cons state by state
- All 50 states and what they are known for
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.
