Best Cities for Remote Workers in Washington
Washington ranks #19 of 50 for remote workers, with a remote workers score of 54.8. Kirkland is its best city for remote workers at 62.3.
- Washington, all states
- #19 of 50
- Population
- 92,621
Washington for Remote Workers: The Full Picture
Washington ranks #19 out of 50 for remote workers — a strong option for those whose income isn't tied to local job markets. Remote work fundamentally changes the relocation calculus: when your salary comes from elsewhere, what matters is how far it stretches locally and how good daily life feels. With a cost-of-living index of 107, Washington is above average — remote workers from lower-cost areas won't see a purchasing power advantage.
The high work-from-home rate of 16.4% suggests an established remote work culture with coworking spaces and digital infrastructure already in place. 95% of households have a broadband subscription, at or above the 50-state average, so home internet is widely adopted.
Taxes are moderate at 8.61% of income — not a major draw but not a dealbreaker. Housing affordability (score: 39/100) is a concern — the typical home is worth $591,879, which may require a strong remote salary to afford comfortably.
All 26 Cities Ranked for Remote Workers
| # City | Grade | Remote Workers score | Overall | Affordability | Economy | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Kirkland | A+ | 62.3 | 70.3 | 24 | 83 | 92,621 |
| 2Redmond | A+ | 60.8 | 71.1 | 24 | 85 | 77,353 |
| 3Richland | B+ | 60.7 | 60.2 | 61 | 60 | 62,753 |
| 4Bellevue | A+ | 58.9 | 70.0 | 22 | 85 | 151,847 |
| 5Spokane Valley | B | 58.9 | 56.4 | 65 | 50 | 106,365 |
| 6Pasco | B | 58.6 | 56.2 | 67 | 49 | 79,575 |
| 7Spokane | C+ | 57.2 | 53.8 | 68 | 49 | 230,293 |
| 8Shoreline | A | 57.1 | 64.9 | 33 | 67 | 61,431 |
| 9Kennewick | C+ | 57.1 | 54.3 | 67 | 47 | 85,295 |
| 10Lacey | B+ | 56.7 | 59.0 | 54 | 56 | 57,737 |
| 11Marysville | B+ | 55.9 | 58.8 | 43 | 61 | 73,002 |
| 12Vancouver | C+ | 55.9 | 54.3 | 54 | 52 | 195,300 |
| 13Olympia | B | 55.7 | 58.1 | 56 | 54 | 55,951 |
| 14Seattle | B+ | 54.1 | 61.1 | 29 | 73 | 754,195 |
| 15Sammamish | A | 52.8 | 64.2 | 19 | 84 | 66,463 |
| 16Renton | B+ | 52.8 | 59.1 | 39 | 60 | 105,317 |
| 17Everett | B | 52.7 | 56.4 | 46 | 51 | 111,845 |
| 18Auburn | B | 51.9 | 56.7 | 47 | 57 | 85,676 |
| 19South Hill | C+ | 51.4 | 53.3 | 43 | 68 | 68,025 |
| 20Kent | B | 51.2 | 56.8 | 43 | 54 | 135,603 |
| 21Burien | C+ | 50.6 | 55.6 | 43 | 54 | 51,513 |
| 22Bellingham | C+ | 50.5 | 53.8 | 50 | 49 | 93,438 |
| 23Yakima | D | 50.3 | 47.7 | 74 | 37 | 96,961 |
| 24Federal Way | C+ | 49.2 | 53.8 | 46 | 50 | 99,493 |
| 25Tacoma | D | 48.5 | 47.7 | 51 | 52 | 222,758 |
| 26Lakewood | D | 47.9 | 47.9 | 53 | 45 | 62,937 |
City remote workers scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Remote Workers Rankings
Also See: Washington for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washington a good state for remote workers?
Washington ranks #19 out of 50 for remote workers with a persona-weighted score of 54.8/100. Its strongest relevant category is Environment (73/100) and its weakest is Livability (34/100).
What is the best city for remote workers in Washington?
Kirkland ranks #1 in Washington for remote workers with a score of 62.3/100, followed by Redmond and Richland.
What factors are most important for remote workers in Washington?
Rankings weighted toward affordable cost of living, strong economy, outdoor access, livability, low taxes, and safe communities — what remote workers prioritize when choosing where to live.