Washington is a state with many attractions and natural beauty, but it also has some cities that are not so appealing to live in. Whether it is due to high crime rates, low livability scores, or poor economic conditions, some places in Washington are best avoided if you are looking for a safe and comfortable place to call home.
In this article, we will reveal the worst city to live in Washington based on various factors and statistics. We will also compare it to some of the other contenders for the title of the worst place in the state. Finally, we will offer some suggestions for better alternatives if you are planning to move to Washington.
The Worst City: Shelton
According to RoadSnacks, a website that ranks cities based on various criteria, the worst city to live in Washington for 2023 is Shelton. Shelton is a small city in Mason County, with a population of about 10,000 people. It has a low livability score of 52 out of 100, which means that it lacks many amenities and opportunities that make life enjoyable and fulfilling.
One of the main reasons why Shelton is the worst city to live in Washington is its high crime rate. Shelton has a violent crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 residents, which is almost twice the national average. It also has a property crime rate of 51.8 per 1,000 residents, which is more than double the national average. You have a 1 in 13 chance of being a victim of crime in Shelton, which is one of the highest in the state.
Another reason why Shelton is the worst city to live in Washington is its poor economy. Shelton has a median household income of $46,667, which is below the national average of $62,843. It also has a poverty rate of 18.9%, which is above the national average of 13.4%. The unemployment rate in Shelton is 7.1%, which is higher than the national average of 6%. Shelton also has a low median home value of $189,800, which indicates a lack of demand and growth in the housing market.
Other Contenders
Shelton is not the only city in Washington that has a low quality of life. There are other contenders for the title of the worst city to live in Washington, such as:
Fife: Fife is a small city in Pierce County, with a population of about 10,000 people. It has a violent crime rate of 7.66 per 1,000 residents, and a property crime rate of 65.89 per 1,000 residents. You have a 1 in 15 chance of being a victim of crime in Fife, which is the highest in the state. Fife also has a low livability score of 54 out of 100, which means that it lacks many amenities and opportunities that make life enjoyable and fulfilling.
Tukwila: Tukwila is a city in King County, with a population of about 20,000 people. It has a violent crime rate of 7.77 per 1,000 residents, and a property crime rate of 164.64 per 1,000 residents. You have a 1 in 6 chance of being a victim of crime in Tukwila, which is the second highest in the state. Tukwila also has a low livability score of 56 out of 100, which means that it lacks many amenities and opportunities that make life enjoyable and fulfilling.
Spokane: Spokane is the second largest city in Washington, with a population of about 220,000 people. It has a violent crime rate of 6.17 per 1,000 residents, and a property crime rate of 54.85 per 1,000 residents. You have a 1 in 16 chance of being a victim of crime in Spokane, which is the third highest in the state. Spokane also has a low livability score of 59 out of 100, which means that it lacks many amenities and opportunities that make life enjoyable and fulfilling.
Better Alternatives
If you are looking for a better place to live in Washington, there are many options to choose from. Some of the best cities to live in Washington, according to RoadSnacks, are:
Sammamish: Sammamish is a city in King County, with a population of about 65,000 people. It has a high livability score of 86 out of 100, which means that it has many amenities and opportunities that make life enjoyable and fulfilling. It has a low crime rate, a high median household income of $147,349, a low poverty rate of 3.4%, and a high median home value of $776,900.
Mercer Island: Mercer Island is a city in King County, with a population of about 25,000 people. It has a high livability score of 85 out of 100, which means that it has many amenities and opportunities that make life enjoyable and fulfilling. It has a low crime rate, a high median household income of $146,476, a low poverty rate of 3.9%, and a high median home value of $1,112,300.
Bellevue: Bellevue is a city in King County, with a population of about 150,000 people. It has a high livability score of 83 out of 100, which means that it has many amenities and opportunities that make life enjoyable and fulfilling. It has a low crime rate, a high median household income of $113,698, a low poverty rate of 6.8%, and a high median home value of $718,300.
Conclusion
Washington is a state with many attractions and natural beauty, but it also has some cities that are not so appealing to live in. The worst city to live in Washington for 2023 is Shelton, due to its high crime rate, poor economy, and low livability score. Other contenders for the title of the worst city to live in Washington are Fife, Tukwila, and Spokane, which also have high crime rates, low livability scores, and poor economies. If you are looking for a better place to live in Washington, some of the best cities to live in Washington are Sammamish, Mercer Island, and Bellevue, which have low crime rates, high livability scores, and prosperous economies.