Moving from Texas to Washington State

If you live in Texas but love the west coast's adventure, then Washington State has plenty to offer. This picturesque yet quiet state is in the North westernmost part of our country and is a well-hidden gem. Let's go over some top factors to keep in mind if you are considering moving from Texas to Washington State.

Benefits of Moving From Texas to Washington State

If you’re trading the South for the Pacific Northwest, here are a few benefits you might enjoy:

Cost of Living

When you’re considering moving from Texas to Washington State, one of the main factors you need to consider is the cost of living. Much like many states on the west coast, Washington State can be an expensive place to move to. This is especially so if you are moving from a low cost of living area like Texas to a higher cost of living area.

Overall, when you compare Dallas, Texas to Seattle, Washington, Seattle is about 70% more expensive in terms of the cost of living. The average house in Dallas costs just over $200,000, while the average house in Washington costs just over $700,000. Interestingly enough, utilities are a little cheaper in Washington state by 31%. Transportation to get around the city is also a bit more expensive in Washington State at around 17% higher.

While the cost of living is a little bit alarming, it should be noted that the average household income plays a huge role in the cost of living. The average household income in Texas is right around $60,000 whereas in Washington State it hovers just over $100,000.

Public Transportation

Like many major cities, Washington State has several cities that offer public transportation. Seattle is one of the major locations where public transportation is the veins that keep the city operating. In fact, it is the seventh-largest public transportation system in America.

There are several types of public transportation, depending on whether or not you need to get around on land or water. The Seattle Streetcar, the Link Light Rail, the Seattle Monorail, and the buses are the main ways to navigate Seattle.

Throughout the rest of the state and in popular cities, there is some form of public transportation, usually the bus, that will allow you to get from one location to another.

Excellent Education

Like many other states in the nation, Washington State’s education system adopts the common core standards for assessing student learning. There are a variety of school options for parents when it comes to the public schools of Washington state. There are just under 2,000 regular schools as well as a variety of alternative schools. Because of the unique geography of Washington state, there is a good mixture of rural and urban schools.

When it comes to the demographics of the public school system, Washington State is not as diverse as other states in the nation. White students are the overwhelming majority, with roughly 20% of students in the public school system being of Hispanic origin.

Weather

The Cascade mountain range divides Washington State into Eastern Washington and Western Washington. Because of climate, opportunity, and development, about 60% of the population lives on the west side of the mountains.

The overall environment in Washington state is favorable for those who like winter but also enjoy a beautiful summer day. On average, a hot summer day will likely be anywhere from 79 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Although Washington state is in the north, the state does not see much snow. Winters typically hover around 42 degrees. If you get into the higher elevations, you do have the opportunity to see snow. Though not frequent, there are occasional snow showers throughout the season.

Outdoor Activities

One of the main draws of Washington state is the many outdoor activities you can participate in. Washington state is home to over a hundred mountains, which makes it the ideal destination for hikers and climbers.

Because it is close to the Pacific Ocean, there are plenty of water activities to partake in as well. Everything from windsurfing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, fishing, and paddleboarding are waiting for you in the waters of Washington State. It is absolutely a nature lover's paradise. When the colder months set in, there is a wide range of winter activities to enjoy as well.

The New Silicon Valley

In the past couple of years, specifically 2016 and 2017, Seattle has been a growing hub for the latest tech companies. During those two years, an astounding 33,803 tech jobs were added to the city's labor sector. The city is known for being one of the major employers for software engineers and tech junkies. This growth is promising not only for the technology world but for the state as a whole.

Cost of Moving from Texas to Washington State

When it comes to moving from Texas to Washington State, the cost is unsurprisingly high — considering that you are moving from one side of the nation to the complete opposite. With professional help, the bill would run you anywhere from $5,000 to $16,000. The average linehaul moving cost from Texas to Washington with Allied is $4,500.

However, there are a lot of factors to consider, including how much you’ll be moving and the exact distance from your old home to your new home. If you’re interested in getting a more exact estimate, feel free to fill out our Instaquote form above.

Most Popular Cities in Washington State

There are a variety of cities in Washington state that have their own unique culture and city charm. Here are some of the most popular cities that Washington state has to offer.

Seattle

The capital of the state is, of course, a no-brainer when it comes to one of the best places to live in. Seattle is the metropolitan area buzzing with professionals, startups, and enthusiastic workers looking to get their foot in the door.

Because of all the opportunities available in Seattle, many people have a good chance of finding a great career, encouraging them to set their roots here. Additionally, because Seattle is such a popular hub, the number of residents is unsurprisingly high with 745,000 people. In addition to its progressive work environment and growing job market, Seattle is notable for the iconic Space Needle. Not to mention, its proximity to the mountains, lakes, and lush evergreen forests make it a desirable location to call home.

Tacoma

Living in Tacoma, Washington is the next step down from the buzzing hub that Seattle is. Tacoma is a popular city with lots of job opportunities and endless amounts of outdoor activities for nature lovers. What makes Tacoma favorable for many is the fact that it is cheaper to live in than Seattle.

Spokane

Spokane, Washington, is one of the major cities that should come to mind when it comes to outdoor adventure. Spokane is roughly the same size as Tacoma, with a similar population of around 200,000 residents. Spokane is the perfect mix of big city living and quaint city charm. Many people who move to Washington choose to call Spokane home because of its proximity to lakes, rivers, and other outdoor hot spots.

How to Move from Texas to Washington State

There is no doubt that moving from Texas to Washington State comes with a bit of a culture shock. Everything from the cooler climate to the mountains that dot the landscape can be an adjustment for people who are moving from Texas to Washington State.

However, if you are a nature lover, then no other state can accommodate your thirst for adventure the way Washington can. We’d like to make the process easier in any way that we can, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask.