Is Florida or Washington a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Washington ranks higher overall. Florida is #29 and Washington is #22 out of 50 states. Florida wins 3 of 11 categories, while Washington wins 7.

How does Florida compare to Washington in cost of living?

Florida has a cost of living index of 103, while Washington's is 109 (100 = national average). Florida is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Florida or Washington?

Florida has 384 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 372 in Washington. Washington has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Florida vs Washington?

Florida's median household income is $71,516, compared to $90,325 in Washington.

Florida vs Washington: Side-by-Side (2026)

C+

Florida

#29·South

51.7Composite Score

VSWashington leads

Washington

#22·West

63.2Composite Score

3FL wins

1tied

7WA wins

Category Overlay

FloridaWashington

Category Scores

💰 EconomyWA +10.2

36.7

46.9

🛡️ SafetyWA +1.6

55.5

57.1

🏥 HealthWA +59.2

28.6

87.8

🎓 EducationTied

57.1

💼 Fiscal HealthFL +5.9

70.2

64.3

📈 GrowthFL +26.2

65.3

39.1

🏠 AffordabilityFL +23.6

59.9

36.3

🌿 EnvironmentWA +39.1

34.0

73.1

🏞️ Outdoor AccessWA +7.6

27.8

35.4

🚇 TransportationWA +21.4

35.0

56.4

🎭 LivabilityWA +4.9

34.1

39.0

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Florida	Washington	Winner
Population	22,610,726	7,812,880	FL
Median Income	$71,516	$90,325	WA
Unemployment	4.3%	4.9%	FL
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	384	372	WA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	103	109	FL
HS Graduation Rate	87%	82%	FL
Life Expectancy	78.2 yr	79.2 yr	WA
Pop Growth	+2%	+1%	FL

Florida vs Washington: How Do They Compare?

Florida ranks #29 overall with a composite score of 51.7, earning a C+ grade. Washington sits at #22 with 63.2 and a B grade. Washington has the edge overall, winning 7 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Florida has 4.3% unemployment and a $71,516 median income, while Washington reports 4.9% unemployment and $90,325 median income.

For safety, Florida's violent crime rate is 384 per 100K compared to 372 in Washington. Cost of living favors Florida with an index of 103 vs 109.

Explore These States

Florida Full Profile51.7 Washington Full Profile63.2 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022