“Buy a knee-length, hooded, waterproof (not water-resistant) raincoat, wool socks, and a sunlamp—for your move to Washington (not D.C., the State)! Your car- a Subaru of course- should be stocked with travel coffee mugs, lots of reusable shopping bags, and of course, your park pass for hiking…” anonymous advice for a WA newcomer.
Yes, America’s second most populous state of Washington is certainly rainy (43.2 inches a year), plus has regions that are overcast October through May. This makes the Happy Light sun lamp a necessity for residents to combat a very real (SAD) seasonal affective disorder. Add in a WA craft coffee/beer culture, popular Seahawks football or Mariners baseball teams, hydro-powered cities, a huge eco-focus on recycling, and you get an idea of WA culture.
The economy and job markets in WA are all thriving, with Amazon and Microsoft as cornerstone employers. Washington also has no state income tax-e.g. if you earn $50,000 yearly you can keep about $5,000 more yearly. The downside is that you’ll probably need that $- the cost of living here is 17% higher than the national average, and housing costs 29% more than the rest of the US. Not coincidentally, Washington’s urban areas have some of the highest homeless populations than anywhere in the US. Also Seattle traffic is the 7th worst in the country- expansion from the booming population growth has not caught up with its aging infrastructure. Yet the state of Washington has many safe attractive areas for relocation- the population of Washington increased by 84,550 people in 2024.
What are 7 safe cities in Washington?
Oak Harbor is located on the Salish Sea in northwest Washington- its community of 24,000 is consistently ranked as one of Washington’s safest cities. It is the largest city on Whidbey Island- home to a Naval Air Station- with many beautiful beaches and parks. Community safety is reinforced by a residential population that heavily consists of active-duty or veteran military personnel, as well as its limited island access only by Deception Pass Bridge or ferry. The overall crime rate is 11 per 1,000 residents- nearly average for all cities of any size nationally. Median home prices on Oak Harbor are $557k- 1 br apartments rent for $1,180/month (55% rent here). Oak Harbor residents tend to be younger- only 22.5% receive Social Security here compared to 41.3% receiving SS elsewhere in Island County. The US Naval Air Station is the largest employer here, along with health services (e.g. Whidbey Health Medical Center), transportation, construction and manufacturing.
Ridgefield is a scenic city of around 12,000 residents, with significant Native American and Lewis and Clark Expedition history. It is located in southwest Washington next to the Oregon border, close to OR’s Portland-Vancouver metro area. This community is rated 64% safer than other communities in Washington with an overall crime rate of 12.38 per 1,000 residents (lower than the national average of 22.7). Median home prices are $400,500 (81.6% own their homes here), and average rents are around $1,650/mo. Both Oregon and Washington residents enjoy attractions such as the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, local wineries, and concerts at the Ridgefield Amphitheater.
Seattle is home to 60% of the state’s residents, who fondly call Seattle “Emerald City” for its forested landscapes. Like any large city, Seattle has a high (mostly non-violent crime) rate, and sensible safety precautions should always be taken. Young professionals and tech workers find Seattle attractive for its tech dominance, strong start-up culture, high-paying jobs, and remote work opportunities. Outdoor enthusiasts also appreciate Seattle’s access to mountains, forest, and the Puget Sound. Median house costs here are $851,513, up 3.7%. Average rents in Seattle are $2,157/mo for a 1 bedroom. Seattle’s safest neighborhoods range from pricey Hawthorne Hills or Broadmoor (with median house prices at $1.44M to $3.27M), to urban Broadway or suburban Matthews Beach (with median house costs that range from $600,000 to $800,000).
Selah is in Yakima County in central Washington. Known for its apple orchards, Selah has a small town rural feel with a population of 8,000-9,000 people. Median home prices are $429k and median rents are $1,635/month- almost evenly split between 51% being renter-occupied, and 49% owner-occupied. Primary jobs for Selah’s residents are related to agricultural processing or fruit production of apples, cherries and hops. Many are also employed by the school district and at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Selah’s crime levels for both property and violent crime are much better than WA state levels.
Spokane (“Lilac City”) is Washington’s 2nd largest city, in the eastern part of the state, near Canada. Spokane’s most striking feature is the Spokane River, with its many waterfalls that flow right through its walkable mixed-use downtown. Additionally Spokane boasts 5 universities (Gonzaga, Washington State, Eastern Washington, Whitworth, and U of WA). Median Spokane home prices in 2025 hover around $435,000 with average rents around $1,416/mo. Spokane’s crime rate is higher than the national average for both property (95.3 to US’s 35.4) and violent crimes (28.6 to US’s 22.7), though its violent crime level is lower than many similar-sized cities. Despite this rate, Spokane has many safe areas- among Washington’s safest neighborhoods are Spokane’s secure South Hill (median list price of homes is $582k/average rent is $1,971/month), Five Mile Prairie (median home value of $555k, rental prices at $1,319/mo) and Manito-Cannon Hill (median home price of 595k/average rent $1,139/mo).
Tacoma is Washington’s third largest city with the ambitious nickname “City of Destiny.” It is 35 miles south of Seattle and is known for its large deep-water port, lively art scene, and waterfront views. Young professionals in particular like its arts, tech, and healthcare job market, along with Tacoma’s mix of urban and outdoor lifestyles. Many move here because housing is cheaper than in Seattle. Median sale prices of homes in Tacoma are $462,000, while average rents are $1,688/mo- 43% of households in Tacoma are renter-occupied. Public safety levels have fluctuated in Tacoma from its overall 912 crime incidents per 100,000 residents in 2022 (3.7 times greater than the US average), but 2024 statistics show a promising 23.6% decrease in total crime and 24.6% reduction in property crime. Suburbs North Tacoma (median house price is $477,103/rent $1,700/mo) and Fircrest (median house sale price is $607,339/rent $1,722) are noted for their safety, good schools and family-friendly environment. More affluent retirees tend to cluster in the quieter suburbs of Ruston (median home price $1.5M/average 1 br apartment rents are $1,635/mo) and University Place (median home sale price of $700k/average rents at $1,430/mo).
West Richland is southeast of Seattle and close to the Columbia River. It is often mentioned as one of WA’s safest parts of the Tri-Cities area (made up of main cities Kennewick, Pasco and Richland). The population of West Richland is 17,126 and West Richland has an overall crime rate of 9 per 1,000 residents, near the national average for all cities of all sizes. Median home values are $404,300 (84% of residents own their homes here), with median rents of $1,577/month. West Richland is ranked as one of the safest neighborhoods in Washington state- great for families, with many parks, shopping, and well-recognized schools. Since the Tri-Cities area is known as the wine capital of the Pacific Northwest with over 200 wineries, West Richland has its own viniculture industry, with best wineries and tasting rooms to offer visitors.
Some safest suburbs of Washington that are often cited are located around Seattle. Redmond (home of Microsoft), Mercer Island (known for its beautiful waterfront homes), Duvall (a historic logging area), Sammamish (affluent and family-friendly), and Snoqualmie (with its natural landmark 268-foot Snoqualmie Falls) are some Seattle suburbs that are both safe and popular.
So whether you’re looking for a tech-driven city, a peaceful island retreat or a family-friendly suburb, Washington has the places that offer security and peace of mind.
