Best Northwest State to Live in

There are many great places to live in the Northwest United States. From the urban life of Washington’s biggest cities to the charm of a tiny Wyoming ranch town, this area is known for its cultural and geographic diversity. The northwest is home to many entries on the "Best Places to Live in the United States" list, and one state in particular appears more often than most. Washington State meets nearly every requirement needed to earn its ranking as one of the best states to live in the US.

The Best City to Live in Washington

Mukilteo is known as one of the best cities to live in Washington. A 2011 9th place winner on Money Magazine’s “100 Best Places to Live” list, this community of approximately 20,000 people in Snohomish County is a suburb of Seattle located on the shores of the picturesque Puget Sound. Median family income for this area is $104,939 and the median home price is nearly $380,000. While Mukilteo is not the most inexpensive place to live in the state, it is among the safest. Personal crime rates here are practically non-existent, while property crimes fall far below the national average. The median age of Mukilteo’s residents is 38 and an astonishing 80% have attended college. Test scores for reading and math are consistently high, at 20% and 32% above the state’s average respectively. Job growth has reached 13.58% over the last ten years. Mukilteo is one of the richer areas of traditionally wealthy Washington and a beautiful and safe haven to call home.

Cheapest Place to Live in Washington

Although Seattle and its surrounding communities may be a bit out of the average earner’s price range, Spokane fits most everyone’s budget. Forbes Magazine has rated Spokane “The Cheapest City on the West Coast.” With a population of 208,916, Spokane is a distant second to Seattle in size, but a world away in cost comparison. Median family income is $41,316, while housing here is a full 15% lower than the national average. 28% of the population works in a healthcare related field, and jobs within this field are plentiful. Spokane has no income or business tax, making it an incredibly inexpensive place to live.

Best Place to Retire

For rest, relaxation and an amazing view of the snowcapped Cascade mountain range, Wenatchee is the perfect place to retire. A resort area with a population of approximately 30,000, Wenatchee is famous for its apples. Median home price here is slightly above $200,000 and the median household income for those 55 or older exceeds $40,000 a year. Senior citizens make up nearly a quarter of Wenatchee’s population, and there are many active senior groups within the city to join. Situated approximately halfway between Seattle to the west and Spokane to the east, Wenatchee is convenient to either of Washington’s biggest cities. The nearby Wenatchee National Forest offers plenty of outdoor recreational activities and some of the most beautiful woodlands in Washington.

With everything from the economy and job market to the natural beauty of the state factored in, it is easy to see why Washington is a forerunner for the title of "Best Place to Live". While Seattle and its surrounding communities offer plenty of excitement and affluence, eastern Washington offers a laid-back, peaceful atmosphere. Washington truly has something for everyone.