Living in Washington, the evergreen state can mean many things. Above all, it means exposure to a wide range of possibilities. Are you up for it?
In this article, I’ll give 18 honest pros and cons of living in Washington, DC. I hope it guides you to make the best decision.
What’s it Like to Live in Washington State?
Washington DC is named after President George Washington, the first president of the United States of America.
The state is nicknamed the evergreen state because of its abundance of forests. It’s also popular for its wildlife and natural resources.
Washington has a population of 7,887,965. Beyond having a large population, the state has a whopping 71,299 square miles of land mass. This data makes it rank the 18th largest state with a wide surface area.
Life in Washington is so different from the rest of the United States. It’s like a different world, with a Canada vibe attached to it. If we’re being honest, it’s like Europe in the United States.
If you’re moving to Washington, there’s more to enjoy than to be worried about. This article will tell you why.
Summary of Pros and Cons of Living in Washington, DC
| Pros of Living in Washington, DC | Cons of Living in Washington, DC |
| Booming Economy | Traffic is Insane |
| Diverse Population | High Cost of Living |
| Variety of Cultural Choices | Extreme Hot Weather |
| Top Food Scene | Tourism Gets Overwhelming |
| Highly Educated People | High Crime Rate |
Advantages of Living in Washington, DC
Booming Economy
Washington’s education and energy investments are key players in its booming economy. The impact of its tech sector has ranked it as No 1 in the best states in the United States.
Beyond technology, Washington is fast rising in space projects, life sciences, and clean energy. With this, Washington continues to build a broad base with an annual growth rate of 5%.
Diverse Population
Statistics show that Washington is more diverse than what was obtainable in the last 10 years. Today, there’s a 56% chance that the two persons you pick at random will be of different races. There are abundant data on the racial diversities in the United States between 2010 and 2020.
According to the World Population Review, here’s a breakdown of the current Washington racial diversity:
- White – 73.53%
- Black or African American – 3.86%
- Asian – 8.82%
- Native American – 1.22%
- Other race – 4.80%
- Native Pacific Islander – 0.68%
Variety of Cultural Choices
There’s a wide array of festivals, museums, and galleries to attend and visit. In DC, more money is invested in performing arts than in any other place in the United States. If you’re a stickler for cultural heritage, Washington is your place!
Top Food Scene
Still on the luxury of options you get in Washington! When in DC, you can’t run out of meal options. Washington is tagged as one of the most exciting food spots.
And it’s not just about the food, these restaurants come with an artsy vibe that leaves you in awe. Yelp has a long list of restaurant options!
Highly Educated Population
Washington makes it one of the top ten educated states in the United States. In 2019, a 91.7% population of high school students aged 25 and above were all graduates.
The key factors for an educated population include the quality of schools, gaps between races and genders, and educational attainment. Washington excels in all.
Availability of Amenities
Washington DC has an abundant supply of amenities put in place to provide comfort to its residents. These amenities include a great transport system, good housing, great education, and stable electricity, among others.
Housing is Diverse
There are a lot of housing options in Washington. From group living to condos, and normal apartments.
All are available for your convenience. You can check them out on DC.gov.
Great Transport System
Washington uses the metro and rail transit system to help residents get around town.
Metro trains and buses can be accessed from any of the three airports — Reagan, Baltimore, and Washington Dulles Airports.
If Washington is tagged one of the worst cities for driving, then it’s because its transport system works!
Tons of Job Opportunities
Are you particular about somewhere you’ll have more job opportunities to pick from? Living in Washington gives you that luxury of options.
In fact, DC is facing a labor shortage. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, about 221,000 jobs were vacant in Washington in 2022.
So it’s safe to say that there’s job assurance in Washington.
Considerably Low-Income Tax
Personal Income Tax is not paid in Washington. However, capital gains and investment income are levied on high-income earners.
To this effect, Washington relies solely on excise and sales taxes.
Proximity to Other Locations
There are many cities to visit near Washington. That way, you don’t have to spend so much on taking short trips. All you need is a road trip! Here are some of them:
- Arlington (Virginia) – 3 miles
- Alexandria (Virginia) – 8 miles
- Rosslyn – 3 miles
- Falls Church (Virginia) – 9 miles
- Bethesda – 18 miles
Disadvantages of Living in Washington, DC
Traffic is Insane in Washington
This point is a major issue to look into before living in Washington. Do you detest traffic? Washington traffic may frustrate you.
According to the 2019 Urban Mobility Report, commuters in DC spend an average of 102 hours annually in traffic.
It ranked the third-worst in the United States for traffic. Believe me, you don’t want to get caught up between 4 – 5 pm on a weekday. The build-up is worse at the close of work.
High Cost of Living
Cost is 13% higher in Washington than the national average. Housing is even higher — 20% above the national average.
Only amenities are of reasonable costs — 9% lower than the national average. Washington is a costly place to live. If you must live there, you have to be prepared.
Extreme Hot Summer Weather
In 2021, Washington confirmed its highest summer temperature. It was confirmed at 120°F in Hanford, Washington.
This is definitely a scorching time in Washington. You can find better ways to make yourself comfortable.
Tourism Gets Overwhelming
With the influx of tourists to Washington, DC during the holiday, it gets difficult for even residents to enjoy monumental privileges.
Museums are full. Parks are congested. Having to queue becomes undesirable.
High Crime Rate
Crime in Washington, D.C. is on the rise. According to Neighborhood Scout, here’s a breakdown of the violent crimes in Washington:
- 301 murder reports occurring at a rate of 0.04 per 1,000 residents.
- 2,677 rape reports occurring at a rate of 0.35 per 1,000 residents.
- 5,183 robbery reports occurring at a rate of 0.67 per 1,000 residents.
- 14,435 assault reports occurring at a rate of 1.87 per 1,000 residents.
If you have young children, you may want to think it through before settling for Washington.
Chances of Natural Disasters
In 2020, a study showed that the rate of natural disasters in Washington tripled in the last decades. Between 2000 and 2017 alone, FEMA reported 61 natural disasters in Washington.
This was a 165% increase from the number between 1980 and 1999. Some of these disasters include wildfires, severe storms, tsunamis, floods, volcanoes, and droughts.
Low Taxes Come at a Price
Even though Washington DC has no provision for payment of personal income tax, there’s a price to pay. 62% of Washington’s revenue comes from excise and sales taxes.
This percentage is way beyond the national average of 35%. According to ITEP, this reality ranks Washington as the third-highest for taxation. In the end, the demands of excise and sales taxes burden households who have to pay heavily for them.
Finally
In my opinion, Washington is a good place to live. Since the pros outweigh the cons, you can always find your way around living in Washington. I hope this helps!
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Washington, DC
Is food taxed in Washington state?
The law exempts some groceries from being taxed in Washington. Already prepared foods, dietary supplements, or soft drinks are taxed. So every business is expected to deduct sales tax from customers.
What states have no sales tax?
These are 5 core states without sales tax:
- Montana
- Alaska
- New Hampshire
- Delaware
- Oregon
What is the most tax-friendly state?
Wyoming is the most tax-friendly state, but that is not the only tax-friendly state. Here are some others (especially for retirees):
- Delaware
- Tennessee
- Alabama
- Colorado
- South Carolina
- Nevada
- Columbia
Where are the safest neighborhoods in Washington to live?
According to Neighborhood Scout, these are some of the safest neighborhoods to live in Washington:
- Wilson Creek
- Kahlotus
- Palouse – Garfield
- Packwood
- Baring – Skykomish
- Malaga
- Maple Falls
What states have the worst taxes?
According to US News, some states with the highest or worst taxes are:
- Oregon
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- Minnesota
- Utah
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- Virginia
- New York
Where are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Washington to live?
According to Movoto, these are the dangerous neighborhoods in Washington:
- Tukwila
- Spokane
- Auburn
- SeaTac
- Yakima
- Burien
- Longview
- Orchard
