Pristine nature, forests, beautiful coastline, and mountain peaks – what’s not to love about the Evergreen State? If you are from the neighboring state of Idaho, then the mountain peaks and a small shared portion of the Rocky Mountains will make you feel like you are at home. Be that as it may, if you are considering moving from Idaho to Washington, there are still various details that make living in each state unique. After all, the beauty is precisely in those details. In this article, we will cover the many similarities and differences that you will need to know if you are considering this interstate relocation. Interstate moves are not as simple as they may seem, and they often require professional assistance that Verified Movers reviews can help you find. But before you start looking for movers, here’s what you need to know about the move from Idaho to Evergreen State.
Comparing Idaho and Washington – what can you expect after moving
These two neighboring states are similar when it comes to landscape. However, they are both unique so let’s talk about the main differences you will notice if you decide to move from Idaho to Washington. Firstly, Washington is a much more populated state. Idaho has 1.7 million residents, while Washington has over 7 million. Not only that, but the Evergreen State is much more densely populated than Idaho. When it comes to diversity, these two states are similar. However, Evergreen State has more highly educated people, with over 35% of residents having a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
When talking about landscape and the environment, you will hardly find a state with such diverse and fantastic nature. In fact, the beauty of the Pacific Northwest is what makes a lot of people decide to move to Washington state. Just some of the most breathtaking places in the Evergreen state include:
- Olympic National Park
- San Juan Islands
- Mount Rainier National Park
- North Cascades National Park
Comparing costs of living
Washington is the state that most Idahoans moved to in 2019. To understand why that is, let’s take a look at the cost of living and compare these two states. While the Evergreen State has a natural beauty that is hardly comparable to other states, it does lag behind in affordability. In fact, Washington is around 21% more expensive than Idaho. So, make sure that before you start your search for interstate moving companies Idaho you have a financial plan in place. You can expect your monthly groceries costs to rise by almost a quarter more when moving from Idaho to Washington. Even a basic Mcdonald’s meal will cost you around 14% more in Washington than in Idaho. However, it is a huge plus that this state has no income tax.
For all renters thinking about moving from Idaho to Washington, finding out that you will have to pay around 27% more on housing will not be ideal. For a one-bedroom home, you can expect to pay a median of $1 059 in Idaho. Rent prices in Washington State vary significantly from city to city. Of course, the biggest city in the state – Seattle, has the highest rents, while more rural and smaller cities are, of course, more affordable. Interstate moving companies Washington recommend that if you can work from home, save up on rent by living in smaller, rural cities. For example, in Seattle average one-bedroom rent is $1 589, and in Spokane, the average rent is as low as $941.
Job market
To afford higher prices, you will have to get a better-paying job to maintain the same lifestyle after moving from Idaho to Washington. Washington State’s market and economy are one of the country’s best economies in 2022. The employment rate has been steadily growing for the past ten years, especially in the IT sector. In fact, in November of 2022, more than 13 thousand new jobs were added, which is more than double the number of new jobs created in October.
Most of the job growth is concentrated in the health care and social services industry, as well as professional and business services. Similar to the healthcare industry, the hospitality industry in Washington state was hard hit during the pandemic. However, both sectors are recovering strongly in this state, with new jobs added every month.
Of course, to apply for any job when moving from Idaho to Washington, you will have to update your resume. This is because the job market is highly competitive. Make sure that you update your license and registration when you move while updating your resume. That way, you will save time and be ready to plan your relocation to the Evergreen State.
Average moving cost of moving from Idaho to Washington
Even though these two states are neighboring states, interstate moves are usually expensive. Not only is the process of gathering all the necessary documentation for cross country move lengthy, but it costs as well. Changing your address and going through all the bureaucratic processes will take a lot of time and effort. Hiring movers when moving from Idaho to Washington will only make your relocation easier. However, the cost of hiring movers will depend on how much you have to transport. Also, it will depend on exactly how long the journey will take. After all, it’s not the same if you are moving from Idaho Falls to Seattle or from Missoula to Spokane. Still, the average cost of moving from Idaho to Washington can range anywhere from $1,900 to $7,500.
So, is moving from Idaho to Washington the right choice for you?
Washington State is one of the best states to live in. With no income tax and its amazing nature, it’s no wonder that many people are moving from Idaho to Washington. If you decide that Washington is the state for you, you will surely not regret the decision. All that is left for us is to wish you good luck on your next journey, and we hope that this short article helped you understand the main differences and similarities between Idaho and Washington.