23 Pros and Cons of Living in Washington State in 2024

Have you ever considered the pros and cons of living in Washington State? 

People come to the region primarily for its booming economy and the incredible outdoor landscape.

I’ve made 18+ countries my home, and I know a few things about what to consider.

Let’s weigh some of the advantages and potential disadvantages before moving to this area. 

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1. Pro: The natural beauty of the area

One of the best things about living in Washington State is the landscape!

Nicknamed the “Evergreen State” for its coniferous trees and forests that cover nearly half the state, Washington State is one of the most beautiful regions of the contiguous USA. 

Not only does it offer mountains and lakes, but there are also many miles of the Pacific Ocean coastline with many intriguing road trip opportunities. 

One of the unique parts of Washington State is the San Juan islands, a network of 172 smaller islands. There’s a system of 21 ferries in place to service the area, which makes it the largest fleet in the USA, so they have some expertise in ferries.

There are also large agricultural areas that make up this state, yielding a wide variety of produce both for local self-sufficiency as well as for export purposes. 

2. Pro: The proximity of the location

Washington State is north of Oregon with Idaho to the east, which makes it the northwestern most state of the mainland US states.

You can get there easily by land, air or water. 

Close to Canada, it shares its northern border with British Columbia. Many consider it the gateway to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. 

You could drive to Canada and back in a day.

At more than 184,830 square km, it’s the 18th largest US state. 

Its west coast location also means it has a flourishing fishing industry, one of the best in the country.

3. Con: Volcanoes

If you are considering living in Washington State, you will have to deal with the prospect of being affected by volcanoes. 

There are five volcanoes that are considered potentially active.

They are: 

• Mount St. Helens
• Glacier Peak
• Mount Rainier
• Mount Adams
• Mount Baker

It’s been 42 years since the last volcano, Mount St. Helens, erupted. The ash drifted as far north as Edmonton, Alberta when it did.

Fruit and vegetables grow really well here because of the unique soil composition. It’s the lava in the soil that contributes to such favorable growing conditions.

4. Pro: Robust economy

Washington State’s strong economy means many good jobs and growth opportunities. 

Lots of those jobs are due to its healthy high-tech industry, based mainly in Seattle.

It leads the nation in many agricultural categories. There are also significant mining opportunities such as gold, lead and aluminum. It holds its own in the manufacturing sector. 

Boeing, for example, a manufacturer of commercial jetliners, is located in Everett, Washington. The company was founded here and continues to produce aircrafts to this day.

This state can be a great place to further your career because there are so many different things to do.

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5. Pro: No state income tax

One of the best advantages of living in Washington State is that there is no state income tax.

You still have to worry about federal income tax though, but overall you can expect to keep a whole lot more of your paycheck, which is exciting.

This definitely attracts people to the area, especially when you’re working with a tight budget. 

6. Con: High state sales tax

When you consider both state and local taxes, the sales tax is high – sometimes more than 9%. how this could be a damper for tourists who plan to shop while visiting the area.

You’ll pay a whopping 20.5% tax on alcohol purchased in a retail store, plus an additional per liter tax on drinks as well.

Washington is definitely one of the most expensive places to have a cocktail. 

But if you are a resident, it may not be as much of a bummer when you remember that you didn’t have to pay any income tax this year. Or last year. Or any year, for that matter. Woohoo!

7. Pro: No Corporate Income Taxes

Businesses and corporations don’t pay income taxes to the state government, which means  serious savings.

They have made it very attractive to operate a business in Washington State, and many companies have chosen to locate their headquarters there, particularly in the tech industry.

Why would companies go anywhere else?

8. Pro: The city of Spokane

Widely considered the heartland of the interior, Spokane is the second-largest city in the state and often gets overlooked.

It has recently emerged as a food destination.

Take Wild Sage Bistro, for instance, where anything on the menu can be made gluten-free on request. That’s a game-changer for me. 

These folks are a testament to honoring the seasonally inspired, locally sourced ingredients that are so readily available.

Their online menu and make a mental note to try the Palouse Chickpea Cakes. They’re crispy fried with green garbanzo batter, served with spiced tzatziki and tomato caper relish.

The local farm-to-table culinary scene has exploded in popularity in recent years. 

Foodies are sure to be delighted with the many culinary options. Trendy restaurants and bistros in the area offer a full range of dining options.

You’ll want to bring your thirst to this city, along with your appetite. Spokane is known to be one of the best places for beer and wine connoisseurs.

9. Pro: It has three national parks

Washington State boasts three national parks: Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park.

In addition to the national parks, many state parks and other recreational areas are easily accessible.

People tend to be active in this area, and it’s easy to see why. The area’s natural beauty lends itself to the call of the wild, luring folks out to enjoy the outdoors.

10. Con: High cost of living

You will pay more here for groceries, gas and housing. Washington State is about 5% higher than the national average.

You can’t expect anything different; where the economy is strong, things tend to cost more.

The average cost of housing ranges throughout the state from the low $300,000s upwards to $900,000s, which tracks average incomes as well.

11. Pro: Seattle, the Emerald City

Seattle is Washington State’s largest city. 

People call it the Emerald City because of the lush evergreen trees.

It is known for many attractions, like the Space Needle and the Seahawks.

Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks. And while I’m mostly a tea drinker, I think that’s still a pretty cool fact. 

It has a robust entrepreneurial environment.

Seattle is also the headquarters for many excellent companies, primarily in the tech industry. Microsoft and Amazon are a few of these companies. 

It’s also home to one of the longest-running farmer’s markets in the country, Pike Place Market. 

When you’re looking to up your coffee game, Seattle is the place to go.

The craft beer environment has led the way for local chocolatiers and cheese makers. The culinary scene in this city has come into its own. 

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese market features a large selection of locally made cheese from small and large producers in the Pacific Northwest.

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12. Con: Homeless population

Washington State does have a homeless problem, likely due to the pleasing year-round climate, with some of the most significant issues concentrated in the Seattle area. 

Seattle news outlet KOMO reported that 2022 saw the deaths of hundreds of homeless people due to various issues, a significant increase over the year before. 

It is an issue in this region, although efforts to house more people are underway.

13. Con: Traffic congestion

Traffic can be a nightmare, primarily in the Seattle region. Expect this to stay the same for a while in a state where the economy is strong. It is the eighth-worst American city for traffic. 

Should your career bring you to this part of the country, consider working from home.

Good news: more public transportation is on the way!

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14. Pro: Environmentally friendly and sustainability-minded

Washington State residents tend to be concerned for the environment and make an effort towards supporting sustainable initiatives. 

More specifically, the Seattle municipality takes pride in their recycling efforts, outlining the process on its website, which is transparency that concerned citizens appreciate.

The local news organization reported that the state ranks in the top 15 greenest states.

15. Con: Cloudy and rainy along the coast

Washington State’s weather is often rainy and cloudy, primarily in the Seattle region. 

With as much coastline as Washington has, it isn’t surprising to learn that many struggle with depression and other mental health issues.

Some residents struggle with SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression that can be caused by the weather. 

WeatherSpark says that January is the cloudiest month of the year when the skies are overcast nearly three-quarters of the time.

16. Pro: Large selection of local wineries and breweries 

Washington State ranks as the second highest wine-producing state in the country (behind California), with nearly 1,000 wineries throughout the region.

There are about 300 craft breweries in the area. People are making the most of all those Washington apples!

Cider distilleries are also making their way onto the craft scene. 

Take Liberty Ciderworks, who take pride in supporting three local, family-run orchards. These folks grow their apples specifically for cider. It’s the perfect farm-to-table initiative for the cider industry!

17. Con: Spiders, big spiders

Many species of spiders love the warm climate of Washington State, with nearly 1000 different varieties, and some types tend to grow big here. 

But don’t worry, very few are harmful to people. 

The most common spider is the giant house spider, which can grow up to four inches across. It’s most often found in basement and garage areas. 

18. Pro: Washingtonians are generally happier

People in Washington State are happier than in many other places. 

It ranked the 17th happiest state in the nation for ‘community environment’ and ‘workplace environment’. 

It has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.

The landscape lends itself well to many recreational opportunities. 

Folks in this region are generally quite active and would benefit from the fresh air and the sunlight, whether it’s a weekend hike in the mountains or a daily surfing routine.

Washingtonians tend to volunteer more than in other parts of the country. Volunteering makes people happy.

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19. Pro: A relatively progressive state

A highly liberal state, Washington is more accepting of minority populations and the LGTBQ+ community. 

The use of Marijuana was recently legalized (2014). 

More spending is allocated toward social programs, like arts and culture.

But when we talk about a state being “progressive”, it’s typically the political atmosphere referred to. 

Historically Washington State has been somewhat divided by geographic area, with the more liberal-minded folks residing in the Seattle area and the more conservative in the interior. 

It’s easy to see how the popular opinion would be primarily liberal, since most of the state’s population lives in Seattle.

20. Con: Natural disasters

Washington State has its fair share of natural hazards, including tsunamis, wildfires and earthquakes. 

The risk of wildfires is the most likely issue you could face, with the environment being so sensitive to precipitation levels.

More than 1,000 earthquakes happen here each year, but few are significant enough to cause serious damage.

Washington has the second-highest seismic risk in the USA. Tsunamis are rare, but they have happened before and will happen again.

Let’s not forget the volcanoes in the area, although it has been quite a while since there has been any activity on that front. 

21. Pro: Agriculture

There are approximately 35,500 farms in Washington State. 

They are the number one producer of apples exporting about a third of the annual yield.

Locals can expect to eat a ton of produce grown here, which is excellent for folks who want to support local farmers and small producers.

The top 10 crops produced across the state are:

• apples
• Blueberries
• hops
• pears
• spearmint oil
• sweet cherries
• apricots
• asparagus
• grapes
• potatoes

Most American peppermint is grown here, primarily in the Yakima Valley.

With so many locally grown fruits and vegetables, the farmer’s markets are a boon for seasonal produce. 

22. Con: Agriculture requires fertilization

If you’ve been to an area where a lot of crops are growing, you will have noticed that spring fertilization overwhelms the senses. 

It can get quite smelly during spring. Thankfully it’s only temporary.

23. Pro: Home to the Grand Coulee Dam

The Grand Coulee Dam was built in Washington State.

It is composed of three hydroelectric power-generating plants. 

It is the largest producer of hydroelectricity in the country and played a vital role in the development of the state during the Great Depression, providing thousands of jobs to those in need.

While Washington is the largest energy consumer in the nation, they get it cheaper. Residents spend about $125 per month on electricity, about 38% lower than the rest of America.

Beyond the technical stuff, the dam provides irrigation and flood control for the Columbia River, upon which the dam was built. 

The dam plays an essential role in fish migration, navigation, and recreation. So it’s a big player in the area in more ways than just producing electricity. 

Wrap-Up: Pros and Cons of Living in Washington State

Now that you know some of the pros and cons of living in Washington State, you can decide if it’s the right place. 

There is a very high quality of life in Washington State. The area has tons to offer, whether you prefer city life or that of a small town area.

It’s desirable to liberal-minded folks who enjoy a culturally rich community and who appreciate diverse food choices.

Washington State is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a trendy area with great job opportunities and endless year-round outdoor recreational opportunities.

🛫 Wanna move to Washington State this year? You can find an affordable flight here.