Amazon, whose roots include Seattle, is interestingly always hiring. But given Washingtons moderate temperatures, utility bills are average. Spring witnesses blooming daffodils, plum trees, tulips, and apple blossoms. Weekly trips to the grocery store can add up, especially if food costs are high where you live. Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, lets take a more macro look at the state of Washington as a whole by looking at the actual state itself. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You could eat out less, cut back on takeout and cook more often. Were Bellhop, and our Washington state movers are passionate about reducing the stress, worry and hassles of moving to a new home. Can drive into trendy areas of Tacoma in 20 minutes. The fund is used for local school districts, free public events, and road maintenance. (5 miles), Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands), Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes), Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city, Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub, 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats), Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert, 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt. Towels, soap, a few basic kitchen utensils and food items like crackers, tea, juice, will make your new location functional as soon as you arrive and fell more like home. So you'll do fine, go Vancouver so you're close to Portland. Because the price of goods and services varies from one city to the next, calculating the cost of living will determine how affordable it is to live in a certain area. Washington state lives up to its reputation its an amazingly beautiful state. The arts scene is especially lively head over the 6. Outlying communities/towns can be very different in feel from Bellingham and even each other. Well send you a 5% discount code to use whenever you are ready to get moving. Some stores like Smith's offer frequent discounts or loyalty programs that can save you even more at the checkout. Sometimes you can get discount tickets on line. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. link to Retiring in Arizona: Pros and Cons. Money Washington is an expensive state to call home. Current cityIf you can't find a city, you can type the state name to see all cities available in that state. Were living in strange economic times. Beyond that, the citys devotion to festivals is a big draw for many. And it adds up. Colorado supports healthy living and is vigilant about renewable resources. On average there are 157 days each year that are below freezing. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. The pros and cons of moving to Washington. Sports Betting Odds. Washington, DC is ranked number 90 out of 100 major cities. I spend my free time with my family, hiking, exploring breweries and new restaurants in the area. Get a Salary Calculation for Washington D.C. Mortgage preapproval is the smartest hack to homebuying and among the most misunderstood. Here's what lenders want before they'll preapprove you for a home loan. ), 1 min. CO is, by statistics, more expensive to live in than WA, CO doesnt have nearly as diverse of a job market as WA, its been getting a tech boom, and oil is a big market out there, but youll spend just as much for cost of living in WA as u will in CO but WA doesnt have an income tax and has better, higher paying jobs. Coloradans are more concerned about package theft, a crime rate of 49% versus the US average of 45%. According to the BLS, transportation is the second-largest expense consumers have.For some, these costs include taking public transportation. For example, the cost of an unlimited MetroCard in New York was obtained from the. Do not sell or share my personal information. u24.5-110. Do these housing costs seem low to you? Washington is the second-highest wine-producing state next to California, with nearly 800 wineries. Its got a bit of a rural feel, and boasts excellent schools and parks. Winter offers gray skies, with temperatures seldom hitting below 45 degrees but could drop to 20 degrees overnight. Housing costs: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the largest bill consumers pay each month is for housing. A river runs right through downtown, and the city lives up to its motto: Near Nature, Near Perfect. Its a peaceful place, with the benefits of big city pleasures like a lively food, entertainment and arts scene. Everything you need to know about moving to a new state. This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. All 10 FBS commissioners are unanimous in their support for three proposed rules changes that aim to shorten the length of college football games, ACC commissioner Jim Phillips told ESPN. A small new toy, book, or video that you give to your child when you arrive might help them to feel happy and relaxed in the new location. Health related expenses are 4.9% less in Denver. Outdoor life if you like to hike mountains, explore forests, fish, surf, kayak, canoe, paddle board, swim, ski and otherwise run amok in nature, you are going to love Washington. If you can't find a city, you can type the state name to see all cities available in that state. Agreed, Bellingham can't really handle much more influx of new folks. The following chart below is the median household income by state. On occasions, it rains daily in Washington for a month. It is ranked as number 75 in the United States, making it below average in driver friendliness. None of these are too far from Tacoma which has a lot going on.Bellingham and surrounding areas are also getting pretty pricey but they're awesome. Despite the rather-exciting cost of living here, the citys population is growing at a remarkable rate about 5% annually and has a solid economy with well-paying jobs. The cost of living in Washington, DC is 38.7% higher than in Denver, CO. You would have to earn a salary of $83,239 to maintain your current standard of living. Try selecting a different location. I live in Kitsap County and love it here. Comparison Highlights - Overall, Washington, District of Columbia is 39.1% more expensive than Colorado Springs, Colorado Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA. Pre-tax household income. Because Georgetown University, George Washington, American, Howard, George Mason is located in Washington, there is a large student population. A monthly pass costs between $100 and $200. For example, a recent report in The Seattle Times pointed out that in the summer of 2022 more companies posted job openings in Washington state than almost anywhere else in the U.S. indicating inflation is likely to persist as labor shortages continue. Yay, and oh no. Car insurance premiums in Colorado are among the highest in the US. The pros of moving to Washington an ultra high quality of life and the great outdoors. They do get some sunshine tho! The median price for a home is $878,000, which is very affordable for the folks who live here they have the highest median household income in Washington at $181,464 annually. Sponsored by Simple App Why do famous people use IF in 2023 for weight loss? Also close drive to a lot on the OR coast, and easy hop up to Long Beach, WA. They can tag along when you go to parks, restaurants, cafes, and some workplaces. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Here, you may be on the hook forbusiness and occupation(B&O) and/orpublic utility tax. Property crime is highest in Washington, followed by violent and other crimes. is home to approximately 60 percent of Washingtons residents, and its still growing fast. A. white wisp over Mount Rainier in September 2022 sent locals into a (justified!) Click here to customize. Thinking about moving to another city? Here, you may be on the hook for. Be prepared for lots of cool, grey, rainy weather and minimal daylight in the Fall-Spring though. Make sure your child has a favorite toy, doll, game, clothing, blanket, snacks, etc. Proximity to employment is an important consideration because it can drastically impact your cost of living. Its not easy to choose between Washington or Colorado to live. I voted Northwest because Im biased but it puts you closer to other cool areas you can venture out to. When you visit stores that dont allow non-service animals, there are air-conditioned lockers to keep them comfortable. We are also considering CO but have not figured out which area would work best for us or if we would like the culture. There are ways to trim that down. Then, well share a few not so great things you might want to consider before moving here. There is contention within the city and county political structure regarding almost everything. Shopping there can considerably reduce, If you love sports, you will love Washington, DC! Food, clothing, entertainment and medical services like basic dental care and checkups are around 15% higher than elsewhere in the U.S. Looking forward, Colorado's economy is expected to expand by 46% over the next 10 years, which is more than the predicted growth for Washington State. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. WA is better (biased because i live here) but probably twice as expensive. As a result, transportation cost is lower, and the need for out-of-state deliveries is reduced. Get your true budget and find a home with ease. Its home to well-known tech companies like. This means that the time and ease of your driving times will impact your, In Denver, CO, the average commute time is about 35.21 minutes. Youll stay drier here than you will in Manhattan or Miami. Washingtons mild weather encourages lots of outdoor activities: Washington is a constant contender in the top-five greenest states in the US. Good question. Well let you decide that though. Plus you are close enough to Vancouver B.C. 1 in the U.S. for public transportation quality. Cost of living is also tied to income, as salary levels in a geographic area are measured against these expenses. You could be looking at a positive net change in disposable income. A river runs right through downtown, and the city lives up to its motto: Near Nature, Near Perfect. Its a peaceful place, with the benefits of big city pleasures like a lively food, entertainment and arts scene. Washington. Good luck :) The PNW is a magical place! All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Next to Alaska, Washington is the second most glaciated state in the US. A cost of living index allows you to directly compare what it costs to live in one area against another, helping you understand how far your money can go in each place. The average healthcare cost of $340 a month includes organic food, gym membership, vitamins, and outdoor activities like camping, skiing, and hiking. NerdWallet excluded state and local tax data because tax rates vary by state and metropolitan area, and sometimes within metropolitan area as well. to NorCal, from the Pacific to Idaho, welcome to the Pacific Northwest. Cost of living is the amount of money you need to sustain a certain lifestyle in a given place. We are not interested in big-city life but would still like to be close to good restaurants and nightlife. That can play a big factor. Nothing wrong with politely letting people know you are aggravating them, but it can be maddening for folks moving here from more straightforward states. For example, the cost of an unlimited MetroCard in New York was obtained from theMTA website. Privacy Policy. Food, clothing, entertainment and medical services like basic dental care and checkups are around 15% higher than elsewhere in the U.S. Consumer Prices Including Rent in Washington, DC are 11.9% higher than in Denver, CO: Rent Prices in Washington, DC are 26.9% higher than in Denver, CO: Restaurant Prices in Washington, DC are 15.1% higher than in Denver, CO: Groceries Prices in Washington, DC are 3.3% higher than in Denver, CO: Local Purchasing Power in Washington, DC is 6.3% . Roads Whoever designed the roadways in the western part of the state (Seattle-Tacoma, were looking at you) seems to have a grudge against drivers. Due to the plethora of state taxes, local taxes, jurisdictions and assessment procedures involved in the assessment of income, property and sales taxes, local tax rates cannot be accurately calculated. Plan on packing a special bag to take with you with those items that you will need first. In this article, weve gathered information about the state of Washington to make your decision a little bit easier. In Colorado it is hot and dry but as a person who lives in Washington I can assure you that Washington state is one of the best places to live in, it's nature is truly awesome and there are so many job opportunities as well as schools. One of most important determinations you need to make before moving to a new city or town is how much it will cost to live there. Gig Harbor is a nice place, about 3hrs from Portland though. Its the 21st most populated state in the US. If you love the great outdoors and aspire to make a name for yourself in the tech space (or at the very least build a strong career), Washington is a pretty obvious choice. Employers in Washington, DC typically pay 9.5% more than employeers in Denver, CO. The same type of job in the same type of company in Washington, DC will typically pay $65,721 . The cost of living in Washington is 13% higher than the national average, and housing is 22% higher than the national average. Washingtons major airport is a high-crime location, as well as parks and designated recreational areas. Microsoft and Nintendo of America, and the residents tend to be young the median age is 34 and well paid with the average income slightly over $79,890. Were optimists here at Bellhop, so were going to kick things off with the things we love about Washington. You should factor this commuting time into your overall, View Minimum Wage Values in Denver and Washington Compared with the Cost of Living. The most heavily populated cities, including Olympia, Seattle-Tacoma and Vancouver are on the west side of the mountain. The Microsoft headquarters, a dream-job destination for tech-savvies, is located in Redmond, just outside Bellevue and not far from Seattle. Its elevated topography (10,000 feet above sea level) necessitates residents to drink often to avoid dehydration. Also in its favor is the easy accessibility of so many diverse activities. 11-2. o24.5-120. - Median Home Cost is the biggest factor in the cost of living difference. This one has the potential to be a thriller . Private school data was obtained from the Department of Education, and average private tuition was compiled by averaging tuition across randomly selected schools in each city. Home prices, property taxes and monthly rents vary from state to state, city to city, town to town and even neighborhood to neighborhood.For homeowners, there are more expenses to consider than just the monthly mortgage payment. And it adds up. 59% higher. The arts scene is especially lively head over the 6th Avenue Art District to start your explorations. To get the best mortgage loan, know how much you can afford and shop like the bargain hunter you are. If you can afford it, its a wonderful place for families and retirees. 7 out of 10 households in Colorado use natural gas as their primary heating source. This is great, even if you are not a student, since there are always lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Walkability and public transit scores were obtained from, Monthly bus pass costs were obtained from the individual websites of the public transit system for each city. A white wisp over Mount Rainier in September 2022 sent locals into a (justified!) The Bellingham area is great. Cookie Notice There is only one hospital in all of Whatcom County, and it is operated by PeaceHealth (judge that yourself). Price collection by city is conducted in strict conformance with standard specifications at specified times. It is quite a drive though to get to airport/Seattle, probably 2hr45 min or so either driving around or taking a ferry. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Get matched with a top agent in your area. Thank you :). In Washington,DC, my friend pays $1545 for a large 2 bedroom apartment. The coastal towns in WA are pretty small/very seasonal and don't have a lot going on and are a pretty long drive to the bigger cities. Its 1980 eruption caused 57 deaths and destroyed 250 homes, as well as numerous roads, bridges and railways. But utilities are 10% lower. I am an lcsw (clinical therapist) and statistically WA has better opportunities and pays better. Using these numbers, we calculated the net change in annual disposable income that a move to the new city will have on your wallet and lifestyle. And when youre ready to go, well be happy to help.