Is Georgia or Washington a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Washington ranks higher overall. Georgia is #30 and Washington is #22 out of 50 states. Georgia wins 5 of 11 categories, while Washington wins 6.

How does Georgia compare to Washington in cost of living?

Georgia has a cost of living index of 97, while Washington's is 109 (100 = national average). Georgia is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Georgia or Washington?

Georgia has 368 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 372 in Washington. Georgia has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Georgia vs Washington?

Georgia's median household income is $71,355, compared to $90,325 in Washington.

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

C+

Georgia

#30·South

51.3Composite Score

VSWashington leads

Washington

#22·West

63.2Composite Score

5GA wins

6WA wins

Category Overlay

GeorgiaWashington

Category Scores

💰 EconomyGA +1.0

47.9

46.9

🛡️ SafetyGA +0.5

57.6

57.1

🏥 HealthWA +55.1

32.7

87.8

🎓 EducationWA +14.2

42.9

57.1

💼 Fiscal HealthGA +5.4

69.7

64.3

📈 GrowthGA +18.8

57.9

39.1

🏠 AffordabilityGA +37.8

74.1

36.3

🌿 EnvironmentWA +41.0

32.1

73.1

🏞️ Outdoor AccessWA +27.8

7.6

35.4

🚇 TransportationWA +25.0

31.4

56.4

🎭 LivabilityWA +8.9

30.1

39.0

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Georgia	Washington	Winner
Population	11,029,227	7,812,880	GA
Median Income	$71,355	$90,325	WA
Unemployment	3.5%	4.9%	GA
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	368	372	GA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	97	109	GA
HS Graduation Rate	84%	82%	GA
Life Expectancy	76.1 yr	79.2 yr	WA
Pop Growth	+1.3%	+1%	GA

Georgia vs Washington: How Do They Compare?

Georgia ranks #30 overall with a composite score of 51.3, earning a C+ grade. Washington sits at #22 with 63.2 and a B grade. Washington has the edge overall, winning 6 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Georgia has 3.5% unemployment and a $71,355 median income, while Washington reports 4.9% unemployment and $90,325 median income.

For safety, Georgia's violent crime rate is 368 per 100K compared to 372 in Washington. Cost of living favors Georgia with an index of 97 vs 109.

Explore These States

Georgia Full Profile51.3 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