Located in the northwestern part of the United States, Washington State was founded in honor of George Washington, the first president of the USA. Its capital is Olympia, and its largest city is Seattle. If you are considering moving to Washington, please bear in mind these best places to live in Washington. Generally, Washington State is divided into two parts via Cascade Mountains: Western Washington and Eastern Washington. Which part do you prefer? Which city is better for you? In this blog, we find some of the best places to live in Washington. Let’s read on.
Is Washington a good place to live?
Washington State has been a good place to live and a popular state with high-quality life standards. According to World Population Review, Washington was the US’s No.1 state for quality of life in 2021. This ranking considered many factors, including job opportunities, economy, infrastructure, medical care, education, etc. Here are some reasons why living in Washington is your best choice.
- Beautiful scenery. Located in the northwestern part of the US, Washington has comfortable living conditions. It has multiple landforms, including long coastlines, lofty mountains, vast plains and lush forests. This geographic diversity provides a wealth of resources for agriculture, tourism and outdoor activities in the state. Washington is home to numerous national parks and nature reserves, such as Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park, which attract a large number of hikers and outdoor explorers.
- Sufficient job opportunities. Many companies choose to set their headquarters in Washington State, thus, you can find proper and good-paid jobs here. For example, Microsoft, Starbucks, COSTCO, and Amazon are all headquartered in Seattle, and the world’s most famous aeroplane manufacturer, Boeing, was once headquartered in Seattle (moved to Chicago in 2001).
- Rich energy. Washington State has the largest hydroelectric capacity in the US. It is also home to the largest hydroelectric facility in the United States — the Grand Curry Dam. Electricity is abundant in Washington state, and the price is also very low, therefore, companies can operate at a lower cost.
- Life pressure. Washington does not tax corporate and personal income, that is, it has no income tax. Regardless of the company’s earnings or personal property status, business tax is levied on gross income. Hence, living in Washington, the burden will be lighter. Although some cities, such as Seattle, have a high cost of living, you can also enjoy many social benefits, such as health care.
- Higher education. Several universities and colleges situated in Washington State provide many well-trained laborers. Washington State possesses one national laboratory, six public universities, 27 private colleges and universities, and 34 community and technical colleges (13 of which offer four-year degrees). More than 91% people of the state have a high school diploma (83% is the U.S. average), and 35.3% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Seattle
- Population: 749,256
- Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
- Median Sale Price: $889,000
- Median Rent Price: $1,990
Why Seattle is one of the best cities to live in Washington State?
Seattle, a port city, is the largest city in Washington State. It has always been listed as one of Washington State three most popular cities for many reasons.
Seattle has beautiful natural scenery, including towering snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and charming beaches. With its excellent natural conditions, Seattle has many parks, gardens and natural reserves. Thanks to tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, the city is considered an important innovation hub in the United States. Whether it’s technology and healthcare or aerospace and tourism, Seattle has a wide range of career opportunities. The booming economy has also made the population vibrant and diverse.
The developed economy, beautiful environment and artistic atmosphere make Seattle a popular destination for movies and TV series, such as “Sleepless in Seattle”, “Finding Mr. Right”, “Late Autumn” and other popular movies and TV series depict Seattle as a city full of romance. Despite the high cost of living in Seattle, accommodation in the suburbs is still affordable. In addition, the salary in Seattle is also very competitive, which makes people willing to choose to settle in Seattle.
Spokane
- Population: 230,160
- Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
- Median Sale Price: $370,000
- Median Rent Price: $1,308
Why Spokane is one of the best cities to live in Washington State?
Spokane is the second largest city in Washington State, the center of the Inland Northwest Region, and the third largest city in the Northwest United States. Spokane’s climate is obviously different from Seattle’s. The city is located on the Columbia Plateau, between the dry Columbia Basin to the west and the heavily forested Selkirk Mountains to the east. Therefore, it is quite dry. Winters are usually cold and snowy, while summers are sunny and can be very hot. So why is it good to live in Spokane? Because it’s one of the most affordable cities on the West Coast. and you can explore Spokane Riverfront Park and visit the Mobius Children’s Museum and Science Center. If you love basketball, then Spokane is the best place for you. The Spokane Hoopfest is held once a year and is the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world.
Vancouver
- Population: 194,512
- Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
- Median Sale Price: $509,900
- Median Rent Price: $1,884
Why Vancouver is one of the best cities to live in Washington State?
Vancouver is a city in Washington State, located on the north bank of the Columbia River. Opened in 1825, it is the fourth largest city in Washington State. In the past, the city’s economy was mainly based on the fur trade, and later developed its forest industry due to its abundant resources. The pleasant climate also led to the development of fruit farming, and the city’s output included apples, strawberries and plums. Despite wages being about $15,000 higher than the national average, Vancouver’s real estate market is still below the national average. Therefore, it is one of the top Washington State towns for real estate. You can also have plenty of job opportunities living here. Some major employers include healthcare giants like PeaceHealth and Banfield Pet Hospital, as well as startups like Evergreen Public Schools and RS Medical.
Bellingham
- Population: 93,896
- Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
- Median Sale Price: $639,750
- Median Rent Price: $2,127
Why Bellingham is one of the best cities to live in Washington State?
If you are willing to move to Seattle, but afraid of its high cost of living, Bellingham can be the best area in Washington State to live. Since it’s only 90 miles from Seattle, you can easily take a day trip with friends by car or train. In addition to this, another advantage of Bellingham is its outdoor recreation. Surrounded by lush evergreen mountains and vast waters, the city offers hiking, kayaking, mountaineering and endless other adventures. For mountaineers, Mount Baker and North Cascades National Park are great options. Water sports enthusiasts can head to Puget Sound or take a ferry to one of the many San Juan Islands.
Tacoma
- Population: 221,776
- Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
- Median Sale Price: $473,500
- Median Rent Price: $1,744
Why Tacoma is one of the best cities to live in Washington State?
Tacoma is the third largest city in Washington State and is a port city located between Seattle and Olympia. Because Tacoma is located on the shores of Puget Sound, you can enjoy great views of Mount Rainier. It is indeed a beautiful place to live. There is also Point Defiance Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, with hikes, beaches, charming gardens, and a famous zoo and aquarium.
Tacoma has also been an attractive alternative to Seattle, especially because of its more affordable housing and lower cost of living. As a result, many people who work and study in Seattle choose to live here.
Olympia
- Population: 55,669
- Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
- Median Sale Price: $498,000
- Median Rent Price: $1,740
Why Olympia is one of the best cities to live in Washington State?
Although Olympia is the capital of Washington State, it is relatively small and quiet. It looks like a small town, but with the amenities of a big city. Therefore, if you are looking for a calm and convenient life, Olympia is one of the best places to live in Washington. Just like other places of the state, Olympia’s natural scenery is beautiful. Tumwater Historical Park, Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls and Watershed Park are popular choices for fun and relaxation.
Kirkland
- Population: 92,151
- Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
- Median Sale Price: $1,331,000
- Median Rent Price: $2,733
Why Kirkland is one of the best cities to live in Washington State?
Kirkland is a quiet, upscale Seattle suburb with waterfront views of Lake Washington and plenty of amenities for people of all ages. Just 11 miles from Seattle, it’s also one of the best areas to live in Washington State. The city’s commercial district on the Bund (the only commercial district on the eastern shore of Lake Washington) has restaurants, art galleries, a 400-seat performing arts center, and public parks with beaches and public art, mainly bronze sculptures. Large grocery chain Costco was once headquartered in Kirkland, famous companies including Bungie (the developers of Halo, Marathon, Mythology, and Oni) was based in Kirkland, and Google’s development department is also based here. Therefore, living here is also a good choice for many people to work.
Redmond
- Population: 76,732
- Unemployment Rate: 2.8%
- Median Sale Price: $1,230,000
- Median Rent Price: $2,456
Why Redmond is one of the best cities to live in Washington State?
Redmond is a city in King County, Washington State, on the eastern edge of the Greater Seattle area. Famous companies, such as Microsoft and Nintendo of America are located here. If you are a cycling enthusiast, staying here is a good choice, because Redmond is also famous for its annual bicycle street and indoor races, which has led to it being called “the bicycle capital of the Northwest”. Redmond is close to Seattle, so it has complete facilities. Living here, you can also enjoy a wealth of recreational activities. Marymoor Park hosts large outdoor concerts during the warm months, while also offers a huge cordless dog park and lakeside activities. Remlinger Farms, Chinook Bend and Tolt-MacDonald Park are also popular places for walking and camping.
Bellevue
- Population: 151,780
- Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
- Median Sale Price: $1,984,250
- Median Rent Price: $3,200
Why Bellevue is one of the best cities to live in Washington State?
The name of Bellevue comes from a French word meaning “a very beautiful place”. Just like its name, Bellevue has a beautiful landscape. Bellevue has been listed one of the best places to live in the United States for many years. More than 145 companies are based in Bellevue. Companies currently based in Bellevue include Expedia, T-Mobile, Valve and so on. Regardless of its many advantages, there is one more thing to note if you plan to move here. Bellevue is an area with diverse cultures and people. More than 99 languages are spoken in the Bellevue School District, and more than 36% of students speak a native language other than English. Living in Bellevue will be an unforgettable experience if you can adapt to multiple cultures and languages.
Walla Walla
- Population: 33,056
- Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
- Median Sale Price: $418,210
- Median Rent Price: $1,550
Why Walla Walla is one of the best cities to live in Washington State?
Although Walla Walla has a small population, it is a desirable place for many people. Just like its name, Walla Walla is attractive. The transport here is convenient: it is about a four-hour drive from Seattle and 13 miles from the Oregon State border. As for its higher education, Whitman College and Walla Walla Community College are both located in Walla Walla. Fun facts: William Douglas, the longest-serving justice in U.S. Supreme Court history, attended Whitman College and graduated in 1920. In addition, Baker Boyer Bank, the oldest bank in Washington State, was established in Walla Walla in 1869. The city is also a popular destination for wine lovers, with many wineries located here.
Considering moving to Washington
If you are thinking of moving to Washington, best places to live in Washington mentioned above are great references for choosing your home location. Washington State, different from Washington D.C., is named after the first president of the USA, George Washington. As one of the most liveable states to live, Washington can be your excellent choice if you want to move or immigrate. As for Washington State best cities to live, in addition to referring to the above list, you also have to choose your cosy home. Which one do you prefer? An apartment or a house? Living in the bustling city center or the tranquil suburbs? If you have no clue, please check uhomes.com! We can answer any questions about accommodation. The only thing you should do is tell us your requirements. Don’t wait and move to Washington as soon as possible!
FAQ
The best places to live in Washington are listed here, including Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, Bellingham, Tacoma, Olympia, Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue, and Walla Walla.
10 safest cities in Washington:
- Sammamish
- Bainbridge Island
- Oak Harbor
- Lake Stevens
- West Richland
- Pullman
- Camas
- Kenmore
- Lake Forest Park
- Snoqualmie
| Cities | Median Home Price | Average Rent for A 1-Bedroom Apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Yakima | $346,500 | $995 |
| Spokane | $385,000 | $1,200 |
| Pasco | $400,000 | $1,600 |
| Spokane Valley | $422,500 | $1,262 |
| Kennewick | $430,000 | $1,355 |
| Tacoma | $471,000 | $1,630 |
| Richland | $472,450 | $1,597 |
| Vancouver | $482,000 | $1,869 |
| Lacey | $512,500 | $1,795 |
| Olympia | $525,000 | $1,650 |
| Areas | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Asotin | $287,500 | $1,006 |
| West Richland | $372,800 | $1,393 |
| Garrett | $370,700 | $962 |
| Dayton | $195,300 | $846 |
| West Pasco | $476,100 | $1,590 |
| Town and Country | $283,700 | $1,295 |
| Medical Lake | $279,500 | $729 |
| Raymond | $156,400 | $966 |
| Colfax | $220,300 | $848 |
| The Village at Fisher’s Landing | $486,600 | $2,675 |
| Cities | Average Annual Salaries |
|---|---|
| Wenatchee | $124,496 |
| Richland | $108,875 |
| Everett | $104,604 |
| Olympia | $99,231 |
| Spokane | $92,631 |
| Seattle | $89,070 |
| Tacoma | $86,958 |
| Puyallup | $83,036 |
| Redmond | $79,226 |
| Kirkland | $77,579 |
