Best Cities for Young Professionals in Washington
Washington ranks #27 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 53.3. Kirkland is its best city for young professionals at 69.9.
- Washington, all states
- #27 of 50
- Population
- 92,621
Washington for Young Professionals: The Full Picture
Washington ranks #27 out of 50 for young professionals, landing in the middle of the pack. The state's economy scores 52/100, with 4.7% unemployment and a median household income of $99,389. Modest population growth of 0.92% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. A cost-of-living index of 107 means higher expenses, so salary negotiations need to account for the premium. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Washington's livability score of 34/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation infrastructure scores well (59/100), with options beyond car dependency.
All 26 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Kirkland | A+ | 69.9 | 70.3 | 83 | 70 | 67 | 92,621 |
| 2Redmond | A+ | 67.9 | 71.1 | 85 | 54 | 65 | 77,353 |
| 3Bellevue | A+ | 65.7 | 70.0 | 85 | 49 | 63 | 151,847 |
| 4Shoreline | A | 63.3 | 64.9 | 67 | 57 | 71 | 61,431 |
| 5Seattle | B+ | 62.4 | 61.1 | 73 | 56 | 78 | 754,195 |
| 6Richland | B+ | 59.1 | 60.2 | 60 | 50 | 57 | 62,753 |
| 7Sammamish | A | 58.9 | 64.2 | 84 | 44 | 44 | 66,463 |
| 8Olympia | B | 57.7 | 58.1 | 54 | 51 | 64 | 55,951 |
| 9Marysville | B+ | 57.0 | 58.8 | 61 | 61 | 50 | 73,002 |
| 10Renton | B+ | 56.2 | 59.1 | 60 | 43 | 62 | 105,317 |
| 11Lacey | B+ | 55.9 | 59.0 | 56 | 44 | 62 | 57,737 |
| 12Kennewick | C+ | 55.1 | 54.3 | 47 | 53 | 64 | 85,295 |
| 13Pasco | B | 54.8 | 56.2 | 49 | 49 | 60 | 79,575 |
| 14Everett | B | 54.2 | 56.4 | 51 | 49 | 67 | 111,845 |
| 15Burien | C+ | 54.2 | 55.6 | 54 | 44 | 62 | 51,513 |
| 16Spokane Valley | B | 53.9 | 56.4 | 50 | 42 | 62 | 106,365 |
| 17Kent | B | 53.4 | 56.8 | 54 | 43 | 62 | 135,603 |
| 18Auburn | B | 53.1 | 56.7 | 57 | 41 | 56 | 85,676 |
| 19Spokane | C+ | 53.1 | 53.8 | 49 | 42 | 69 | 230,293 |
| 20Vancouver | C+ | 52.7 | 54.3 | 52 | 45 | 61 | 195,300 |
| 21Bellingham | C+ | 52.7 | 53.8 | 49 | 49 | 44 | 93,438 |
| 22South Hill | C+ | 52.0 | 53.3 | 68 | — | 40 | 68,025 |
| 23Federal Way | C+ | 51.1 | 53.8 | 50 | 41 | 61 | 99,493 |
| 24Tacoma | D | 49.8 | 47.7 | 52 | 46 | 67 | 222,758 |
| 25Lakewood | D | 47.0 | 47.9 | 45 | 40 | 61 | 62,937 |
| 26Yakima | D | 46.7 | 47.7 | 37 | 35 | 45 | 96,961 |
City young professionals 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 Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Washington for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washington a good state for young professionals?
Washington ranks #27 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 53.3/100. Its strongest relevant category is Health (68/100) and its weakest is Livability (34/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Washington?
Kirkland ranks #1 in Washington for young professionals with a score of 69.9/100, followed by Redmond and Bellevue.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Washington?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.