Americans love Washington! And why wouldn’t you? From a top-rated college town to a thriving art culture, the Evergreen State has got it all.
The median home value for Washington is $617,700. The state scores 75/100 in quality of life. For a rich cultural experience, Seattle and Tacoma are some of the best places to live.
People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Let’s explore the best places to live in Washington.
3 Reasons to Live in Washington 🏛️
- No Tax: Washington is one of the nine states in the US that doesn’t charge income tax. This means you’ll have more disposable income.
- Healthcare: The state offers excellent medical services. They extend health care facilities to 39 counties which includes 35 local health departments.
- Education: In terms of education system the state ranks 10th. The renowned universities are University of Washington and Washington State University.
Best Places to Live in Washington State in 2024
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Seattle | 734,603 | $775,000 | $11,123 | 3.9% | 74/100 |
| 2. | Olympia | 55,151 | $522,500 | $8,696 | 4.7% | 58/100 |
| 3. | Spokane | 227,922 | $337,500 | $7,916 | 5.2% | 58/100 |
| 4. | Tacoma | 219,234 | $460,000 | $8,913 | 3.9% | 74/100 |
| 5. | Vancouver | 190,700 | $464,500 | $9,990 | 3.8% | 62/100 |
| 6. | Pullman | 31,972 | $411,613 | $7,631 | 3.8% | 52/100 |
| 7. | Redmond | 73,728 | $1,233,011 | $9,537 | 3.5% | 81/100 |
1. Seattle: One of the Best Cities in Washington
| Home Value | ⬆️ 0.7% |
| Median Income | $116,068 |
| Monthly Expenses | $11,123 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 74/100 |
Seattle’s median home price is significantly $372,477 higher than the national average of $402,523. The health services in the city are 11.8% less than the national average.
In addition, the health and business sectors are major contributors to Seattle’s economy and have increased jobs by 2.6%. The top employers in this city are Amazon and Expedia. Moreover, the city is home to the Seattle Mariners a baseball team. As a sports enthusiast could get behind the local team, the Seattle Mariners.
» Homes For Sale in Seattle, WA: Browse through thousands of properties in this Emerald City.
2. Olympia: Best Cities to Live in Washington State
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.2% |
| Median Income | $73,851 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,696 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 58/100 |
Home to the Evergreen State College, Olympia is one of the best cities to live in Washington state for students. The median home price in the capital city is $522,500. While the cost of living is 10.6% higher than the national average, the city is rated A+ in terms of health services.
The crime rate in the city is 2% less than the national average. Apart from this, the farmers market is very famous in this area and helps to be the center for small businesses and local artisans. In addition, Watershed Park and Trillium Park are the go-to spots for quick getaways.
» Homes For Sale in Olympia, WA: Get yourself a home in one of the best places to live in Washington state.
3. Spokane: Best Place to Live in Washington for Young Adults
| Home Value | ⬆️ 0.3% |
| Median Income | $63,316 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,916 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 58/100 |
Spokane is one of the largest cities in the state of Washington and the median home price in this city is $75,278 less than the US average. The cost of living is just 14% lower than the national average. Apart from this, the utility costs within a budget, and daily expenses are typically easier to handle.
The city is famous for its natural beauty and rich history. The city is home to several notable institutions that offer high-quality education like Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, and Spokane Community College.
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4. Tacoma: Best Place to Live for Professionals
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.3% |
| Median Income | $79,085 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,913 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 74/100 |
Tacoma is one of the fastest-growing cities in Washington. The median home price in Tacoma is $460,000. The cost of living is a bit high but the vibrant culture, arts, and museums make it a place worth living.
The city has a thriving job market with many businesses, including Hospitality and Internet Industry, like Tacoma Country & Golf Club and Give InKind. Moreover, it also offers a multitude of business opportunities.
» Homes For Sale in Tacoma, WA: Browse through thousands of properties in best neighborhoods in Washington state.
5. Vancouver: One of the Best Places to Retire in Washington
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.8% |
| Median Income | $73,626 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,990 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 62/100 |
Vancouver is one of the best place to retire in Washington state. This city is located on the banks of the Columbia River. It gives an exceptional fusion of metropolitan conveniences and stunning natural surroundings. The median home value in this city is $464,500 and the cost of living is just 4% higher than the national average.
Healthcare facilities like PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Centre and The Vancouver Clinic are well known in this city. For recreation, the city offers a multitude of parts for its older residents such as Esther Short Park and Vancouver Waterfront Park.
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6. Pullman: Live in One of the Safest Cities in Washington
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.3% |
| Median Income | $41,479 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,631 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 52/100 |
Pullman is located in Whitman County with a population of 41,126. It is known to be among the most affordable cities to live in Washington. Housing costs in Pullman are 9.5% lower than the national average. Apart from this, the city has an 11.3% lesser crime rate than the national average.
The city’s primary employer includes Washington State University, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, and Pullman Regional Hospital. The city has also grown in other fields like manufacturing and engineering.
» Homes For Sale in Pullman, WA: View thousands of affordable properties in Pullman.
7. Redmond:
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.3% |
| Median Income | $155,287 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,537 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 81/100 |
The median home price in Redmond is $1,233,011. Redmond is the second-largest school in the state “Lake Washington School District”. It has over 30,000 students enrolled in its 57 schools and is one of the best places for families if you have younger kids. It also has a low crime rate makes it a safe city.
Additionally, Redmond is home to Microsoft’s global headquarters. The city also has beautiful Downtown Park and the Redmond Watershed Preserve, both of which are well-known attractions. Also, Redmond Regional Medical Center is one of the main medical services in the city for senior citizens.
» Homes For Sale in Redmond, WA: Browse thousands of affordable properties in the best places to live in Washington.
Bottom Line
With a median home price of $586,100, Washington is considered to be the best place to live in the US due to its affordable cost of living, culture, and history. Apart from this, it’s close to other metro areas, such as Portland, OR, and Boise, ID.
Washington is one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees, in this state they are exempt from taxes. If you are considering moving to this state it’s advisable to do thorough research before making a decision. You can browse properties online.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with Washington’s most accurate home value estimator.
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Research Methodology
We considered different parameters to rank the best places in Washington. The comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Washington and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Washington Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the best cities to live in Washington for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the top Washington state cities to live in?
Some of the top neighborhoods in Washington includes Seattle and Olympia. Seattle is the largest city in the state and is known for its iconic Space Needle and thriving tech industry. Olympia, the state capital, is a smaller city with a charming downtown area and a strong focus on sustainability and the environment.
Where is the most affordable place to live in Washington State?
Pullman is among the most affordable places to live in Washington. The median home price in Pullman is $411,613. The cost of living is 9.5% low.
Which city is the cheapest place to live in Washington?
With a cost of living 7.9% below the national average, Sunnyside is the cheapest place to live in Washington.
