Evergreen State Migration: The moveBuddha 2021-2022 Washington Migration Report
Big takeaways
- 2022 data shows that slightly more are searching to leave the state of Washington than move in — 97 moves in for every 100 out.
- Coming in and heading out: California dominates both moves into Washington and moves headed out of the state. Texas comes in second on both counts.
- Outflow is concentrated around the Seattle Metropolitan Area. Of the 36 cities seeing higher outflow, 12 exit cities are in King County, 9 in Snohomish County, and 4 in Pierce County.
- Major outflow: Snohomish and Lakewood are seeing 2x more moves out than in.
- While #1 Port Angeles, #2 Blaine and #3 Camas are the most popular cities to move to in 2022, with 2x more moves in than out.
Are moves coming into or heading out of Washington? (Hint: both)
Washington is one of America’s wealthiest and most politically and socially liberal states. The Evergreen State consistently ranks among the best for life expectancy and low unemployment.
According to moveBuddha’s 2022 data (Jan 1 through December 31) over 25K searches involving the state of Washington were made via their Moving Cost Calculator.
The moveBuddha data finds Washington had 109 moves in for every 100 moves out when the pandemic started in 2020, but that number has slipped to 97 moves in for every 100 moves out in 2022.
Most move-outs come from in and around King County, the most populous county in the state and the home of Seattle. The local government’s lackluster response to homelessness and crime rates, along with skyrocketing housing prices, are the top reasons residents say they’re moving out.
Not all parts of Washington are faring poorly, though – some smaller communities with excellent access to nature are doing well. We dug through the moveBuddha data to find out who’s leaving the Evergreen State, which cities they’re leaving, and where they’re ending up.
Table of Contents
I. Washington Moves: Statewide trends from the last decade and into 2022
II. 2022 Forecast: Which Washington cities are surging in popularity and which are losing residents?
III. Real Insights: We asked, why move to Washington?
IV. Sources and Methodology
I. Washington Moves, In and Out
Washington is the 13th-most populous U.S. state, but it may start losing ground as other states across the nation see population spikes. Population inflow is steadily declining in Washington state, and the latest moveBuddha data in 2022 reveals more moves out than in.
Ninety-seven were searching to move out of Washington for every 100 who were looking to move in, a move-in-to-out ratio for 2022 of 0.97. Compare that to 2020, when Washington’s ratio was a healthier 1.09.
Some factors that could be causing move-outs include:
Unaffordable housing. Washington ranks dead last nationwide in the ratio of housing units to the number of existing households. As a result, housing is much less affordable. Families earning 100% of the area median income can afford a median home in just nine Washington counties.
“Regressive” taxation. The lowest-earning residents in Washington pay nearly 18% of their annual incomes in state and local taxes, while the wealthiest residents pay just 3%. Economists call this taxation approach “regressive,” and it may be enough to make some residents flee.
Rising crime rates. Many parts of the U.S. are dealing with increasing crime rates, but it’s been especially troubling in Washington. Violent crimes and murders increased statewide in 2021 while more police officers have quit and recruits have declined, leading to serious public safety concerns for residents, especially in King County.
Not everything in Washington is so grim, though, and plenty of positive factors are leading people to move there including the easy access to nature, excellent schools, and more.
The state is home to several big corporate employers, especially in the tech industry, such as Microsoft, Boeing, Amazon, and, of course, Starbucks.
Who is moving to Washington and where are Washington residents headed?
Moves into Washington are easily dominated by California inflow; about 1 in 4 moves into The Evergreen State come from The Golden one.
Top 5 states moving into Washington:
| State | % of total moves out of Washington |
| California | 25.96% |
| Texas | 10.75% |
| Florida | 4.56% |
| Arizona | 3.83% |
| Illinois | 3.42% |
Where are people in Washington moving to?
According to moveBuddha data, California is also a popular destination, followed by Texas, Florida, Illinois, and Arizona.
Top 5 states Washington residents are headed to:
| State | % of total moves into Washington |
| California | 14.49% |
| Texas | 11.66% |
| Florida | 8.47% |
| Arizona | 6.75% |
| New York | 4.37% |
II. 2022 Forecast: Which WA cities are the most popular to move to and out of in 2022, according to moveBuddha data?
We analyzed more than 375,000 searches from the moveBuddha Moving Calculator to determine all the Washington cities that moveBuddha users are searching the most. Looking purely at cities with at least 25 inbound and 25 outbound searches to avoid outliers, we identified 62 total Washington cities that dominate the searches.
Among the cities we analyzed, 36 of the 65 have a negative in-to-out move ratio, the worst of them being #65 Snohomish (46 to 100), #64 Lakewood (48 to 100), and #50 Federal Way (53 to 100).
What cities have the best inflow-to-outflow ratios? The cities with the most positive move ratios are #1 Port Angeles (250 to 100), #2 Blaine (223 to 100), and #3 Camas (202 to 100).
Escape From Emerald City
Twelve of the 65 cities we identified in the moveBuddha data are in King County. Most King County residents (55%) expect to move within the next five years. The government’s response to homelessness and rising crime rates are two reasons for move-outs, but so is an exponential rise in housing costs.
Zillow reports that the average home cost in King County is nearly $875K, a number that has fallen from a high of $917K in recent months. Despite the falling cost, that figure is considerably higher than the national average home price of $357,000. It also makes King County one of the most expensive housing markets in the U.S., up there with San Diego, San Jose, and Boston.
But it's not just King County, outflow is concentrated around the Seattle Metropolitan Area. Of the 36 cities seeing high outflow, 12 exit cities are in King County, 9 in Snohomish County, and 4 in Pierce County.
So it's no surprise cities in other parts of the state like #1 Port Angeles, #2 Blaine and #3 Camas are increasing in popularity. moveBuddha data shows these cities are seeing the highest inflow of all cities in this analysis.
Plus, the average cost of homes across the top 15 Washington cities for inflow falls under the state average.
#1 Port Angeles is an excellent example of this. The average home price there as of November 2022 was about $443,000, about $150K less than the state average. Another top city to move to, #6 Olympia boasts average homes $539,000, according to Zillow data. But for the most bang for your buck, #7 Kennewick and #12 Spokane home values offer the best deal of the top cities to move to.
Top 5 Cities to Move to in Washington:
#1 Port Angeles, WA
CBSA: Port Angeles, WA
County: Clallam
Census Population (2021): 20,134
Average Home Value: $443,290
Median Rent: $980
Median Income: $48,567
Median Age: 41
College Education or Higher: 28.8%
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
Residents of #1 Port Angeles enjoy an affordable median home price of $443,290 (Nov 2022). The small city is located on the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula, and there’s no shortage of opportunities for enjoying nature. Port Angeles is the headquarters of the beautiful Olympic National Park, which encompasses most of the Olympic Mountains.
#2 Blaine, WA
CBSA: Bellingham, WA
County: Whatcom
Census Population (2021): 5,976
Average Home Value: $571,967
Median Rent: $1,068
Median Income: $72,772
Median Age: 41.3
College Education or Higher: 38.3%
Unemployment Rate: 12.7%
More than a point of entry between Canada and the United States, Blaine is a seaside charmer. With grassy gardens and the Blaine Marine Park offering numerous trails for exploration, the village-esque city is attracting interest from those looking to move. Area homes are also below the state average, at about $572,000 for a single family home (according to Zillow Nov 2022 data).
#3 Camas, WA
CBSA: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
County: Clark
Census Population (2021): 27,054
Average Home Value: $729,204
Median Rent: $1,214
Median Income: $115,993
Median Age: 41.9
College Education or Higher: 51.4%
Unemployment Rate: 3.3%
Camas’s housing prices are slightly higher than Port Angeles, but it’s still an attractive destination for movers. Camas is a small, quiet city where the outdoors, parks, and recreation are a big part of the community’s lifestyle. Downtown Camas is charming, a highly walkable district with tree-lined streets and thriving local businesses. Plus, nearby Silver Star Mountain offers amazing views for those up to the hike.
#4 Sequim, WA
CBSA: Port Angeles, WA
County: Clallam
Census Population (2021): 8,241
Average Home Value: $609,940
Median Rent: $959
Median Income: $39,509
Median Age: 53.6
College Education or Higher: 28.8%
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
With a 2021 U.S. census population of just 8,241, there are plenty of opportunities for peace and quiet in Sequim. The small city lies within a “rain shadow,” meaning it receives less than 16 inches of rain per year on average. The city is also known for the commercial cultivation of lavender, making it the “Lavender Capital of North America,” a soothing and healing place to escape.
#5 Leavenworth, WA
CBSA: Wenatchee, WA
County: Chelan
Census Population (2021): 2,383
Average Home Value: $818,167
Median Rent: $850
Median Income: $58,523
Median Age: 40.4
College Education or Higher: 50.3%
Unemployment Rate: 1.6%
While Leavenworth may be coveted for its Bavarian-style "Christmastown", the city is attracting increasing interest from those looking to invest in the local lifestyle. This mountaintown may be small, but it is full of opportunities to explore the mighty Cascades whether hiking, kayaking, or skiing.
3 Cities Losing Residents in Washington
1. Snohomish, WA
CBSA: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
County: Snohomish
Census Population (2021): 10,154
Average Home Value: $920,906
Median Rent: $1,050
Median Income: $70,234
Median Age: 38
College Education or Higher: 25.1%
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
Snohomish is a small city in the Seattle metro area that’s seen better days. Along with an average home value of $920K, residents are increasingly concerned about public safety. Along with rising crime rates, Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney recently acknowledged that police shortages are a “real problem.”
2. Lakewood, WA
CBSA: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
County: Pierce
Census Population (2021): 63,331
Average Home Value: $508,395
Median Rent: $1,095
Median Income: $55,723
Median Age: 35.6
College Education or Higher: 22.2%
Unemployment Rate: 5.5%
Located in the Seattle metropolitan area, Lakewood is another Washington city with serious public safety concerns. With a 48 per 1,000 residents crime rate, Lakewood has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all cities of all sizes. A person’s chances of becoming a victim of a violent or property crime in Lakewood is one in 21.
3. Federal Way, WA
CBSA: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
County: King
Census Population (2021): 99,037
Average Home Value: $606,267
Median Rent: $1,411
Median Income: $68,672
Median Age: 36.2
College Education or Higher: 29.4%
Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
Federal Way is another city in King County that’s seeing many move-outs. Like many municipalities in King County, crime rates have concerned Federal Way residents and business owners. Commercial burglaries in Federal Way spiked 17 percent in 2021, the highest recorded total in seven years, according to the city’s police department.
III. Stories from locals - Why move into or out of Washington?
To learn a bit more about moving into and out of Washington state, we reached out to people who've either lived in the state or currently live there.
Here’s what they had to say:
Change of pace, nature, and atmosphere: I moved to Washington from the Chicagoland area just over a year ago for a complete change of pace. It’s a different world out here in Yakima. The cost of living for my family of three is a fraction of that in the Chicago area. And for nature lovers like us, day trips to Mt. Rainier National Park and the ocean are an absolute joy. Putting the hustle and bustle of Chicago aside for a more relaxed, family-first atmosphere has done wonders for my stress levels. And while it gets cold enough out here, it’s also quite nice to put the biting freeze of Midwest winters behind us! — George Arkin moved from Chicago to Yakima, WA.
Gorgeous state, but weather and politics may play a role in outflow: Washington State is gorgeous in the summer/fall. There is a lot to do outdoors in these times and some sights you can’t find anywhere else in the country. There are typically only 2 reasons people move out of the state - seasonal depression (it gets extremely gray in the winter) and politics (new policies enable crime). My husband and I are looking for property in Arizona for better weather and cost of living! — Alexi McKinley Marysville, WA, looking for property in Arizona.
Bye King County, Hello Evergreen Nature
Washington’s population was more than 7.7 million in 2020 according to the U.S. Census, a 14.6% increase since 2010. The Evergreen State was the third-most populous state west of the Mississippi River in 2018, behind only California and Texas. Washington also has the largest Pacific Northwest population, followed by Oregon and Idaho.
Though Washington is an appealing destination because of its natural beauty and strong economy, moveBuddha data shows that more people are moving out than in. Since the pandemic started in 2020, Washington’s move-in-to-out ratio has steadily declined, down to 97 moves in for every 100 moves out in 2022.
Smaller cities in Washington are faring much better than the denser, more frenetic towns of King County, the most populous part of the state that’s also losing the most residents. Crime, homelessness, and housing affordability are concerns in some parts of Washington, but not everywhere.
If the trends continue, more people moving to Washington will be attracted to the beatific scenery of cities like Port Angeles, Blaine and Camas, not the hustle, bustle, and sky-high housing costs of major towns across King and Snohomish Counties.
King County may be a major tech industry center and the birthplace of legendary grunge rock bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, but it may also be losing its luster compared to cities that have the likes of Olympic National Park.
IV. Sources and Methodology
This report primarily uses data sourced from moveBuddha’s Moving Cost Calculator with supplemental city-specific details from the U.S. Census Bureau. To understand the cost of area homes, we use Zillow’s Home Value Index.
moveBuddha proprietary data
This data was collected from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, capturing over 375K searches across the nation by individuals who were either planning to move themselves or hire a moving company throughout 2022.
More information about our move data and in-to-out ratio equation can be found in our Migration Report.
U.S. Census Bureau data
- U.S. Census Population Data: Population data
- American Community Survey: Median rent, median income, median age, college education percentages, and the unemployment rate
Zillow — Zillow Home Value Index city data
The Zillow Home Value Index or ZHVI provides us with the typical single-family home value within each city at a given period of time.
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
