One of the challenges of moving from California to Washington is gathering information on your new place of residence. Understandably, one may be reluctant to move because of certain adjustments which may be required of you once you move out. In the US, moving from just one state to another would already require a lot of changes.
California and Washington are two highly different states. Moving from sunny California to the mild climate of Washington would mean more than just tolerating the weather. To help you with your move, here are a few pros and cons of moving from California to Washington.
Pros Of Moving To Washington
Washington Has a Lower Income Tax Rate
The state income tax rate for Washington as of 2022 sits at 8.95%, while the income tax rate for California sits at 13.3%, the highest among all states. Moving from California to Washington would give you higher periodic net earnings.
Washington Has a Lower Carbon Emission
According to the carbon emission data presented by the US EIA, Washington has a higher air quality than California due to lower carbon emissions.
Washington has lower costs of living
In research conducted by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the value of $100 for Washington is at $91.60 relative to the lowest percentile, while the value of $100 for California would fall to $83 relative to the lowest percentile. This means that your money would be worth more in Washington than in California.
Traffic Is Better Managed in Washington
In the 2021 traffic data provided by Tomtom, a traffic index research company, California traffic loses 80 hours per year per person. In Washington, a person would stand to lose just 52 hours a year due to traffic.
Cons Of Moving To Washington
California has a higher per capita income
California has a slightly higher per capita income level than Washington. Based on 2018 income levels, the per capita income for California is 52,651. This means that the potential for earnings based on the general economic measures is higher in California than in Washington.
California has a higher level of industrialization
Hollywood, the Bay Area, The Lakers, and the Staple Stadium are some of the biggest establishments and communities in the US. These are mostly surrounded by luxury businesses and related industries. Because of this, the availability of various goods and services in California is always abundant.
Laws are much less stringent in California
Traffic laws, availability of Marijuana, and other recreation are allowed more in California than in Washington. A generally higher degree of freedom is allowed in California than in Washington.
Conclusion
In making considerations about moving from California to Washington, it would be important to determine one’s needs in their location. According to income and expense data, a person trying to raise a family would be more benefitted when they reside in Washington. They would have better air, traffic, tax rates, and expense levels. However, a single individual looking for better earnings per year would have a better time in California, since the industry and the potential for earning money are more abundant.
There are always upsides and downsides when moving from one place to another. This is what makes it a risk. The important thing to consider when deciding between moving from California to Washington is your environmental requirement. Knowing what you need in your new location would help finalize your decision and disregard irrelevant facts.