So, you’re curious about living in Washington? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of Washington.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Washington matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether Washington is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in Washington
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Washington is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in Washington:
- The weather is great in the summer and we have plenty of outdoor activities. Plus, Washington has everything you could want in a city or town to suit your lifestyle!
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in Washington:
- The traffic can get really bad during rush hour. And it’s hard to find housing when you’re first moving here because everyone else wants it too! Be sure to start your search early.
Read More: Is Washington a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in Washington
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Washington? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Washington!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Washington.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in Washington:
- Bellevue
- Redmond
- Seattle
- Snoqualmie
- Spokane
- Tacoma
- Vancouver
Read More: Best Places to Live in Washington
Checklist for Moving to Washington
So now you’re preparing for your big move to Washington. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Washington.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Washington:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your Washington driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Washington
- Getting Washington car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in Washington and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in Washington.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for Washington and your previous home state.
Visit your Washington Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to Washington Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Washington.
Things to Know About Living in Washington
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Washington, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in Washington
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
Washington ranks 38th on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 111.3, meaning it’s a relatively more expensive place to live.
Here is how Washington scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 109.2
- Housing: 116.7
- Utilities: 91.1
- Transportation: 118.3
- Health: 120.2
- Miscellaneous: 110.4
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in Washington
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to Washington from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
Washington’s state sales tax rate is higher than the national average at 6.5%, with an average local rate of 2.73% (the highest local sales tax rate is 4%). Across the state, the average sales tax rate is about 9.23%.
Check with the Washington tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in Washington
If you own or plan to own real estate in Washington, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
Washington ranks 29th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of .98%
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the Washington tax office for the most current tax rates.
Washington’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to Washington is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, Washington ranks 10th for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Information
- Manufacturing
- Professional and business services
- Retail trade
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Wholesale trade
- Construction
- Finance and insurance
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services
The top employer in Washington is Boeing.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in Washington
Our Washington moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Washington is the Space Needle.
National Parks that you can visit in Washington include:
- Mount Rainier National Park
- North Cascades National Park
- Olympic National Park
National Monuments that you can find in Washington include:
- Hanford Reach National Monument
- Mount St. Helens Volcanic National Monument
- San Juan Islands National Monument
These destinations are all great places to visit when you get a chance.
Facts about Washington
Washington is the 42nd state of the United States that lies in the western region. To its north is Canada, to its south is Oregon, to its east is Idaho, and to its west is the Pacific Ocean.
What is the capital of Washington?
The capital of Washington is Olympia.
Olympia is located in Thurston County with a population of 46,478.
What is the population of Washington?
The population of Washington based on 2020 US Census data is 7,705,281.
What is the largest city in Washington?
The largest city in Washington is Seattle.
Seattle has a population of 737,015, and it is located in King County.
What is the size of Washington?
Washington is 71,297 square miles, making it the 18th largest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of Washington?
The state motto of Washington is: Al-ki
What is the state bird of Washington?
The state bird of Washington is the Willow goldfinch.
What is the state flower of Washington?
The state flower of Washington is the Coast rhododendron.
What is the state tree of Washington?
The state tree of Washington is the Western Hemlock.
What is the minimum wage in the state of Washington?
The minimum wage in Washington is $13.69 per hour.
What is the median income in Washington?
The median annual household salary in Washington is $74,073.