Camera-ready scenery, gorgeous summers, stellar food and drink, and no state income tax are all definite pros of living in Washington. But grim winters and high prices mean it’s not the perfect scenario for everyone.

Thinking about moving to Washington state? You’re certainly not alone. Moving to a new state is a big change, and depending on where you’re coming from, it can be as different as night and day.

Washington may be the perfect place to call home for many, but for others, it might not be the best fit. Before you start packing, take a minute to consider the pros and cons of a move to Washington.

Get a closer look at the facts of Washington life with

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Pro: Jaw-dropping scenery

They don’t call it the Evergreen State for no reason: Washington is home to abundant, lush forests and some of the most breathtaking landscapes to be found anywhere in the U.S. From snow-capped volcanic mountains to the beautifully rugged coastline, to the loveliness of the Puget Sound, you’ll never run out of things to feast your eyes on.

Mount St. Helens, Mount Baker, Rialto Beach, Snoqualmie Falls—the list of stunners goes on. Whether you prefer to take in the beauty from your vehicle or get out there and walk among it, there are ample opportunities for some nature-supplied soul food. There have been a fair amount of movies shot in Washington, and once you see it, you quickly understand why.

MORE:

The best ghost towns to visit in Washington

Con: Jaw-clenching natural disasters

Mother Nature can be wonderfully nurturing, but she can also be pretty brutal. Washington state has the potential for some pretty nasty natural disasters. Several of those gorgeous mountains are more than just scenery—there are five active volcanoes in Washington state.

Mt. Baker, Mt, Rainier, Mt. Adams, Glacier Peak, and Mt. Saint Helens all have the potential to blow their tops—the most recent one of note was the 1980 eruption of Mt. Saint Helens.

Those volcanoes aren’t operating in a vacuum, either: they’re part of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a massive fault line that runs up the West Coast from Northern California to Southern British Columbia. This means a threat of not only earthquakes, but tsunamis, floods, and landslides as well. Throw in the ever-growing wildfire threat, and you’ve got plenty of reasons to make sure your

Washington homeowner’s insurance

is up to snuff.

MORE: Does my home insurance cover earthquake damage?

Pro: Stunning summers

Summertime in Washington state is almost ridiculously perfect. It rarely gets above 90 degrees, it’s not humid or muggy, and there’s sunshine from about mid-May through mid-September. This is when many people love, love, love the extended evenings of Daylight Savings Time—more summer fun!

The sun feels warm, the breeze feels nice, the sky is blue, the trees are green, and there are flowers everywhere…do you feel like throwing out your arms and spinning in a circle a la The Sound of Music yet? Believe us, you will.

A Pacific Northwest summer is an experience straight out of a travel brochure, and if you’re lucky enough to live here, it’s yours every year.

MORE: How to apply Rain-X automobile windshield treatment

Con: Gray, gray, go away

So, yeah. The flip side of all this lush greenery is the ample rainfall that makes it possible. Called “liquid sunshine” (with varying degrees of begrudging affection) by many denizens of the PNW, the rain is a stark fact of life in the winter months. But here’s the thing: It doesn't actually rain all that much.

In fact, Washington doesn’t even rank in the top 10 of the rainiest states in the nation.

So what’s up with the common perception that the PNW is a rain-soaked bog? Well, the winters can be…dark. Gray skies often dominate for what starts to seem like a never-ending stretch of time.

Throw in setting the clocks back in November and the fact that you’re pretty far north of the equator, and it can be pitch black out by 5 p.m., which can make it difficult to not just want to go to bed. For several months. Seasonal Affective Disorder is very much a real thing here, and it can be pretty onerous.

PRO TIP New to the PNW? Give yourself the housewarming gift of a
quality light therapy box
. It’s worth every penny.

Pro: No state income tax

When it comes to income tax, Washingtonians enjoy far less of a burden than the majority of other folks in the U.S. Washington is one of eight states that have no state income tax requirement. This is not only a really nice break, but it’s also a pretty stark contrast to its fellow West Coast states of Oregon and California, which both have state income tax rates that rank among the top five highest in the nation.

Con: High sales tax

Remember when we said that people in Washington had a low income tax burden? Well, we chose our words carefully for a reason. The state sales tax in Washington state is on the high side of the scale, at 6.5%.

And keep in mind that the major cities also have their own sales taxes as well—this means Seattle and

Tacoma

both have sales tax rates of over 10%, while

Vancouver

and

Spokane

are over 8%.

It’s not at all uncommon for folks who live on the western side of the state to pop over the Columbia River to buy their big ticket items in

Portland, Oregon

—which has no sales tax (and plenty of stores conveniently located near the state line).

Pro: Get a job!

If you’re considering moving to Washington for work or in the hopes of finding some, you’re not alone. Washington State is ranked as having one of the best job markets in the U.S. Large tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Zillow, and Intel all have large operations here, mostly in the

Seattle

area.

In the non-tech realm, Washington’s abundant natural resources and landscapes also offer many opportunities in maritime industries like fishing and shipping, as well as forestry. Healthcare personnel are very much in demand, and the metropolitan areas have an abundance of openings in the restaurant and retail industries.

MORE:

Moving to Seattle

Con: Traffic…so much traffic

Seattle area traffic consistently rates among some of the very worst in the country. Recent studies have cited that the average Recent studies have cited that Seattle area drivers lose anywhere from 58 to over 300 hours a year due to traffic congestion, so load up on podcasts. The intense variation in this number is likely due to the fact that different methods were used in each study, but the one thing that was consistent across the board was Seattle’s ranking among the top 10 worst cities to drive in.

Why is it so bad? In addition to a lot of people, the area’s geography presents some challenges. Look at a map: Seattle occupies a fairly narrow north/south-oriented stretch of land between the water and the mountains. This makes for lovely scenery but doesn’t allow for an abundance of opportunities for easy expansion of infrastructure.

MORE: How bad is Seattle traffic?

Pro: Lots of outdoor recreation opportunities

If you like an active outdoor lifestyle, then Washington has more opportunities than you could make use of in a lifetime. Hiking, skiing, biking, surfing (wetsuit needed!), and camping are all popular, as the beauty of the surroundings simply begs you to get out in it. Washington ranks as one of the most active states in the nation, so you should have no trouble at all finding a hiking buddy.

Con: High cost of living

The Pacific Northwest is a desirable area of the country to live in, but it’s also one of the most expensive. Washington falls in the top 10 of the most expensive states to live in, and Seattle is a frequent flier on the list of most expensive U.S. cities.

Expenses are highest in the Seattle area, but the state as a whole doesn’t lag too far behind. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Seattle is around $1,925 to $2,386, with the state average range of around $1,500 to $1,700.

Staples like food and gas are more expensive too, with Washington ranking in the top 10 nationwide for both of these metrics. The cost for a gallon of gas in Washington is currently $4.93, which is well over the national average of $3.76 per gallon.

Hoping to buy a house in Washington? Start saving now. Home prices in Washington rank among the five highest in the U.S. Zillow currently estimates that the average price of a home in Washington state is $613,674—which is well above the U.S. average of $348,079.

MORE: Everything you need to know about driving in Seattle

Pro: Some of the best music, food, and sports around

Quick: what are some of your favorite things? No matter what you answered, it’s a good bet that you can find it in Washington—and it’ll be amazing. Seattle is known for its lively music and arts scene and consistently ranks in the top 10 most foodie-friendly cities in the U.S.

If breweries and wineries are your thing, good news: The craft brewery industry is alive and well in Washington, with more than 300 breweries found throughout the state.

You like wine, you say? Washington has you covered! The bulk of Washington’s many wineries lies east of the Cascade Mountains, where things are a bit more dry and sunny.

If you’re the sporting type, you can start by cheering on the Seattle Seahawks, the Seattle Mariners, or the Seattle Storm, as well as a number of collegiate and minor league teams. Although Seattle has been without an NBA team since the Sonics left town, rumors of an expansion are always buzzing.

Pro: It’s easy being green

Washington’s more than just green in color—it’s green in spirit, too! If environmental concerns are important to you, then you’ll find many kindred souls here. Consumer affairs recently rated Washington as the greenest state in the nation, being noteworthy for high levels of renewable energy production.

Eco-friendly actions abound, and Washington state is serious about reducing emissions. Recently passed legislation mandates that all cars sold in Washington must be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, which is quite ambitious. And on the more macabre side, Washington was the first state to legalize human composting as an alternative to traditional burial or cremation.

Single-use plastic bags have been prohibited since 2021, so make sure you stock up on your reusable totes!

MORE: Foodie road trip Pacific Northwest

Is Washington a good state to live in?

Yes! Washington is a great state to live in. It’s a beautiful part of the country, and residents generally report high levels of happiness and satisfaction. But like any place, it has its downsides.

Washington is a wonderful place for:

Nature-lovers

Outdoor enthusiasts

Foodies and music-lovers

Folks looking for jobs in big tech

But you’ll pay a price for it—literally. It’s expensive to live here, and the winters can start to wear on you. But ask most Washingtonians, and they’ll say it’s well worth the price of admission.

How to get the best car insurance in Washington

Washington has fairly decent rates when it comes to car insurance, but it also depends heavily on where in the state you are. When you shop for your policy with Jerry, we’ll make sure you meet

Washington’s car insurance requirements

—and save some serious money, too!

Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

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* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

FAQs

Is Washington dog-friendly?

Yes! If you’re a dog lover, you’ll find Washington (and the whole PNW, for that matter) to be very appealing. Dog-friendly businesses and restaurants are common, and Washington is considered to be one of the best states in the U.S. for a road trip with your fur friend.

Does it really rain that much?

Well, yes and no. Despite its reputation as an intensely rainy area, Washington typically falls somewhere in the middle when states are ranked by rainfall. But that being said, Washington does see around 150 rainy days a year. Many days it’s quite light and brief, mind you, but it’s still there.

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