Washigton state, also referred to as the Evergreen State is well-known for being eco-friendly, and having some of the most beautiful natural outdoor scenery in the United States. It is home to several breathtaking mountains and more than 8000 lakes.
In addition, it also houses many tech and innovative companies such as Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, Digital Properties, Classmates, Starbucks, T-Mobile, and Nordstrom etc. So if you'd like to get the best of both worlds, moving to Washington isn't a bad idea.
Washington state is great for camping, hiking, off-road tours, rock climbing, and several other exciting outdoor adventures. If you're wondering if moving to Washington state is right for you or not, we've compiled all the information you need to know about the state before making up your mind.
Is moving to Washington state right for you or not? Let's find out!
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Here are the top 10 reasons why moving to Washington is a great idea:
Before making up your mind about moving to Washington, we are sure that you'd like to consider the pros and cons of living in the state. Here's a simple list to help you weigh your options better.
| Pros of living in Washington State | Cons of living in Washington State |
|---|---|
| Booming job market | The cost of living is higher than many other states |
| Environmentally friendly | Traffic is terrible in Washington |
| No state income tax | Housing is expensive in Washington |
| Top-rated universities and colleges | Washington's weather isn't so great |
| A vibrant and diversified growing economy | Crime rates are high in Washington |
| An ultra high quality of living | Meeting new people and making friends is hard |
| Breathtaking outdoor scenery and activities | State and local sales tax rates are high |
| Washington is home to over 8000 lakes | Cities are getting crowded as population grows |
| The state is a bikers' paradise | Washington is home to many active volcanoes |
| The state has the highest minimum wage in the country | The state has one of the highest property crimes rates in the U.S. |
| Most Washingtonians are living a healthy lifestyle | There's a high chance of experiencing storms and hurricanes |
Washington is home to many beautiful cities, towns, and neighborhoods. To help you choose the best place to live in the state, we've compiled data from Home Snacks to let you make a fair comparison. Here are the 10 best places to live if you're moving to Washington:
| Place | Population | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer Island | 25,492 | $1,135,200 | 3.6% |
| Sammamish | 64,049 | $749,000 | 3.1% (8th best) |
| Brier | 6,819 | $454,700 | 3.1% |
| Snoqualmie | 13,317 | $582,000 | 3.3% |
| Redmond | 63,197 | $631,700 | 3.9% |
| Duvall | 7,811 | $452,200 | 4.7% |
| Mill Creek | 20,164 | $486,600 | 3.2% |
| Kirkland | 88,079 | $607,800 | 3.6% |
| Lake Forest Park | 13,378 | $559,000 | 4.3% |
| Bellevue | 142,242 | $737,000 | 4.0% |
Before moving to Washington, the cost of living in the state is one of the key things to consider. The cost of living in Washington state is 118.7%. This means the cost of living in the state is 18.7% higher than the U.S. average.
Washington's cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. Rankings lower than 100 means the state is less expensive than the national average. Ranking above 100 means the state is more expensive to live in.
Renting a home in Washington state is fairly easy. The state is home to many beautiful cities and towns including Seattle, Leavenworth, Spokane, Vancouver, Bellevue and a lot more. Up to 33.8% of Washingtonians are renters. About 1.4% of houses and apartments in the state are available to rent.
Here's a quick summary of the average costs of renting a home in Washington state:
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START MY QUOTEYou may decide to buy a home if you're moving to Washington state. So, we compiled the most important data (from Zillow) about the state's housing market to help you make an informed decision.
If you move to Washington, getting a job will be fairly easy. The state is home to some of the largest companies in the U.S. Here's a top 10 list of the largest companies in Washington according to Zippia:
Here's a simple analysis of Washington's job market:
What industry are you most likely to get a job in if you relocate to Washington? There are several large industries in Washington state including Aerospace, information technology and trade etc. Here's a list of the leading industries in the state:
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START MY QUOTEUsing data from ZipRecruiter, Credit Bureau and Data.io, here's how much money you're likely to earn when you move to Washington:
Moving to Washington probably means you'd be paying a different amount of money in taxes compared to what you were paying previously. So, will you be more or less in tax if you move to Washington?
Here's a simple analysis of Washington taxes using data from SmartAsset:
The state of Washington is known for many things. While it's hard to mention everything, we've selected some of the key ones from various spheres of the state. Here they are:
There are tons of top-rated elementary, middle and high schools in Washington state. Washington is also home to some of the best universities and colleges in the U.S. Here's a list of the top-rated schools in the state:
Bennett Elementary School
Bellevue School District,Public, PK-5 | 435 students
Somerset Elementary School, Bellevue School District, Public, K-5 | 721 students
Coe Elementary School, Seattle Public Schools, Public, K-5 | 560 students
Timber Ridge Elementary School
Snoqualmie Valley School District,Public, K-5 | 656 students
Capt Johnston Blakely Elementary School
Bainbridge Island School District, Public, K-4 | 367 students
Davenport Senior High School
Davenport School District, Public, 6-12 | 330 students
Pine Lake Middle School
Issaquah School District, Public, 6-8 | 939 students
Inglewood Junior High School
Lake Washington School District, Public, 6-8 | 1207 students
International Community School
Lake Washington School District, Public, 6-12 | 438 students
Jefferson Middle School
Olympia School District, Public, 5-8 | 432 students
Anacortes High School
Anacortes School District, Public, 9-12 | 795 students
Newport Senior High School
Bellevue School District, Public, 9-12 | 1834 students
Skyline High School
Issaquah School District, Public, 9-12 | 2194 students
Eastlake High School
Lake Washington School District, Public, 9-12 | 1871 students
Kamiak High School
Mukilteo School District, Public, 9-12 | 2082 students
Georgetown University
University of Maryland
George Washington University
American University
George Mason University
Howard University
Catholic University of America
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