Best Cities for Remote Workers in Washington
Washington for Remote Workers: The Full Picture
Washington ranks #26 out of 50 for remote workers β a reasonable choice, though not without tradeoffs. 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 109, Washington is above average β remote workers from lower-cost areas won't see a purchasing power advantage.
The high work-from-home rate of 15.5% suggests an established remote work culture with coworking spaces and digital infrastructure already in place. Broadband reaches 89.8% of households β solid in metro areas, though rural spots may have gaps.
Taxes are moderate at 8.61% of income β not a major draw but not a dealbreaker. Housing affordability (score: 36/100) is a concern β the median home costs $630,000, which may require a strong remote salary to afford comfortably.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Remote Workers
| # | City | Grade | Remote Workers Score | Overall | Affordability | Economy | Outdoor Access | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redmond | A+ | 67.2 | 74.3 | 36 | 89 | 35 | 80,275 |
| 2 | Kirkland | A+ | 64.5 | 68.4 | 36 | 83 | 35 | 91,190 |
| 3 | Bellevue | A+ | 61.9 | 69.1 | 35 | 87 | 35 | 151,579 |
| 4 | Sammamish | A+ | 61.1 | 67.8 | 33 | 87 | 35 | 65,126 |
| 5 | Renton | A | 57.0 | 60.7 | 48 | 63 | 35 | 104,505 |
| 6 | Marysville | B | 56.5 | 55.3 | 52 | 56 | 35 | 72,922 |
| 7 | Seattle | B+ | 56.3 | 60.0 | 39 | 74 | 35 | 755,081 |
| 8 | Pasco | B | 56.1 | 55.8 | 59 | 49 | 35 | 81,415 |
| 9 | South Hill | B | 55.0 | 53.9 | 49 | 60 | 35 | 67,851 |
| 10 | Federal Way | B+ | 54.5 | 56.9 | 53 | 51 | 35 | 97,689 |
| 11 | Spokane Valley | C+ | 53.0 | 52.2 | 64 | 50 | 35 | 108,232 |
| 12 | Everett | B | 52.7 | 55.2 | 53 | 50 | 35 | 111,147 |
| 13 | Kent | B | 52.7 | 54.7 | 51 | 55 | 35 | 133,381 |
| 14 | Auburn | C+ | 51.9 | 52.2 | 53 | 58 | 35 | 84,887 |
| 15 | Kennewick | C | 51.6 | 49.4 | 65 | 43 | 35 | 85,155 |
| 16 | Vancouver | C | 50.8 | 49.1 | 57 | 52 | 35 | 196,441 |
| 17 | Tacoma | C | 50.0 | 46.3 | 56 | 57 | 35 | 222,932 |
| 18 | Yakima | C | 49.7 | 46.8 | 68 | 36 | 35 | 96,739 |
| 19 | Bellingham | C+ | 48.8 | 51.0 | 55 | 42 | 35 | 94,712 |
| 20 | Spokane | C | 48.6 | 47.1 | 66 | 45 | 35 | 229,451 |