Moving to Washington: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Washington, you’re not alone. The Evergreen State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Seattle and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Washington, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Washington to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Washington
Like any big move, relocating to Washington comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Evergreen State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in WA
- ✓Beautiful landscapes
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓High quality of life
- ✓Bountiful recreational opportunities
- ✓Delicious seafood
Cons of living in WA
- ✖Constant rain
- ✖Bad traffic
- ✖High cost of living
- ✖High crime rate
- ✖Natural disasters
Things to do in Washington
Whether you’re moving to Washington work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Washington has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Washington
- Olympic National Park
- Mount Rainier National Park
- The Space Needle and Seattle Center
- Pike Place Market
- The Museum of Flight
- Snoqualmie Falls
- Lake Chelan
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- North Cascades National Park
- San Juan Islands
Museums in Washington
- Chihuly Garden and Glass
- The Museum of Flight
- LeMay – America’s Car Museum
- Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum
- USS Turner Joy Museum Ship
- Museum of Glass
- Hibulb Cultural Center
- Puget Sound Navy Museum
- Pacific Bonsai Museum
- Imagine Children’s Museum
Parks in Washington
- Mount Rainier National Park
- Olympic National Park
- North Cascades National Park
- Deception Pass State Park
- Lake Wenatchee State Park
- Palouse Falls State Park
- Lime Kiln Point State Park
- Gingko Petrified Forest State Park
- Cape Disappointment State Park
- Birch Bay State Park
Fun facts about Washington
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Washington, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- The state of Washington is the only state to be named after a United States president.
- Seattle is home to the first revolving restaurant, 1961.
- Washington state produces more apples than any other state in the union.
- Washington state has more glaciers than the other 47 contiguous states combined.
- Washington state’s capitol building was the last state capitol building to be built with a rotunda.
- Everett is the site of the world’s largest building, Boeing’s final assembly plant
- Medina is the home of the United States wealthiest man, Microsoft’s Bill Gates.
- The Northwestern most point in the contiguous U.S. is Cape Flattery on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
- King county the largest county in Washington was originally named after William R. King, Vice President under Franklin Pierce; it was renamed in 1986, after civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Microsoft Corporation is located in Redmond.
- Before it became a state, the territory was called Columbia (named after the Columbia River). When it was granted statehood, the name was changed to Washington, supposedly so people wouldn’t confuse it with The District of Columbia.
- The highest point in Washington is Mount Rainier. It was named after Peter Rainier, a British soldier who fought against the Americans in the Revolutionary War.
Washington population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Washington, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Evergreen State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Washington, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Washington |
|---|---|
| Population | 7,812,880 |
| Female | 49.6% |
| Male | 50.4% |
| College graduation rate | 40.97% |
| Political leaning | Democratic |
| Crime index | 37.32 |
Washington weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Washington is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Washington aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Washington |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 79ºF |
| Winter low | 31ºF |
| Annual rain | 38″ |
| Annual snow | 18″ |
Income and cost of living in Washington
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Washington.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Washington and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($77.6 billion)
- Information ($71.6 billion)
- Manufacturing ($64.6 billion)
- Professional and business services ($59.7 billion)
- Retail trade ($47.2 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($38.9 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($28.4 billion)
- Construction ($24.2 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($21.9 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($21.3 billion)
| Metric | Washington |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,900 |
| Average home cost | $588,856 |
| Average income (per capita) | $90,325 |
| Cost of living index* | 115 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 0.0% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Washington
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Washington has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Washington:
- University of Washington
- Washington State University
- Western Washington University
- The Evergreen State College
- Seattle University
- Gonzaga University
- Eastern Washington University
- Central Washington University
- Whitman College
- Seattle Pacific University
- Pacific Lutheran University
- University of Puget Sound
- Bastyr University
- Bellevue College
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Washington
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Evergreen State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to WA
- Arkansas to WA
- Arizona to WA
- California to WA
- Colorado to WA
- Connecticut to WA
- Delaware to WA
- Florida to WA
- Georgia to WA
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- Maine to WA
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- Montana to WA
- North Carolina to WA
- North Dakota to WA
- Nebraska to WA
- New Hampshire to WA
- New Jersey to WA
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- Nevada to WA
- New York to WA
- Ohio to WA
- Oklahoma to WA
- Oregon to WA
- Pennsylvania to WA
- Rhode Island to WA
- South Carolina to WA
- South Dakota to WA
- Tennessee to WA
- Texas to WA
- Utah to WA
- Virginia to WA
- Vermont to WA
- Wisconsin to WA
- West Virginia to WA
- Wyoming to WA
Cost of moving to Washington
Before you take the leap to Washington, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Washington
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Washington.
Washington car insurance requirements
Washington drivers license requirements
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