Best places to retire in Washington
Written by:
April 10, 2021
realtor.com
Best places to retire in Washington
For many people, retirement is the reward after decades of working and raising a family. After all that anticipation, deciding where to spend that precious time can be a tough decision, so Stacker looked to data and rankings from Niche to compile a list of the best places to retire in Washington. Niche ranks places to retire based on a variety of factors including cost of living, health care, recreation, and weather. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
Many retirees seek out easy access to indoor and outdoor recreation, from walking trails and water access to museums and theaters. Many desirable retirement destinations also have good proximity to major cities, ripe with arts, culture, and health care resources. But those choice locations carry the key drawback of a high cost of living, often due to pricey housing costs, that will not suit retirees often on fixed incomes. Low crime rates make a difference, as well.
Keep reading to discover the best places to retire in Washington.
You may also like: People who retire comfortably avoid these financial advisor mistakes
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#25. Ocean Park
- Population: 1,745
- Median home value: $173,100 (82% own)
- Median rent: $924 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $43,125
- Pictured: 25020 Sandridge Rd, Ocean Park ($720,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $173,100 (82% own)
- Median rent: $924 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $43,125
- Pictured: 25020 Sandridge Rd, Ocean Park ($720,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#24. Birch Bay
- Population: 9,323
- Median home value: $274,300 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,115 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $62,413
- Pictured: 6023 Birch Point Rd, Blaine ($5.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $274,300 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,115 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $62,413
- Pictured: 6023 Birch Point Rd, Blaine ($5.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#23. North Puyallup
- Population: 1,930
- Median home value: $152,700 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,008 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $56,114
- Pictured: 12311 30th Street Ct E, Edgewood ($996,950, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $152,700 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,008 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $56,114
- Pictured: 12311 30th Street Ct E, Edgewood ($996,950, 5 bedrooms)
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#22. Maplewood
- Population: 5,072
- Median home value: $433,700 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,676 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $105,339
- Pictured: 1207 NW Beach Ln, Gig Harbor ($5.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $433,700 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,676 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $105,339
- Pictured: 1207 NW Beach Ln, Gig Harbor ($5.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#21. Goldendale
- Population: 3,459
- Median home value: $156,900 (51% own)
- Median rent: $747 (49% rent)
- Median household income: $47,000
- Pictured: 32 Megann Dr, Goldendale ($684,000, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $156,900 (51% own)
- Median rent: $747 (49% rent)
- Median household income: $47,000
- Pictured: 32 Megann Dr, Goldendale ($684,000, 2 bedrooms)
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#20. Canterwood
- Population: 3,218
- Median home value: $554,600 (85% own)
- Median rent: $2,101 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $125,256
- Pictured: 5016 Bridlepath Dr NW, Gig Harbor ($2.6 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $554,600 (85% own)
- Median rent: $2,101 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $125,256
- Pictured: 5016 Bridlepath Dr NW, Gig Harbor ($2.6 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#19. Fords Prairie
- Population: 2,662
- Median home value: $213,600 (86% own)
- Median rent: $875 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $72,394
- Pictured: 2018 Foron Rd, Centralia ($299,900, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $213,600 (86% own)
- Median rent: $875 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $72,394
- Pictured: 2018 Foron Rd, Centralia ($299,900, 2 bedrooms)
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#18. Chelan
- Population: 4,146
- Median home value: $334,300 (59% own)
- Median rent: $867 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $57,778
- Pictured: 227 Crystal Dr, Chelan ($1.7 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $334,300 (59% own)
- Median rent: $867 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $57,778
- Pictured: 227 Crystal Dr, Chelan ($1.7 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#17. Dayton
- Population: 2,656
- Median home value: $162,200 (67% own)
- Median rent: $778 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $50,313
- Pictured: 100 Vernon Ln, Dayton ($675,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $162,200 (67% own)
- Median rent: $778 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $50,313
- Pictured: 100 Vernon Ln, Dayton ($675,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#16. Bainbridge Island
- Population: 24,486
- Median home value: $705,400 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,555 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $117,990
- Pictured: 10000 NE Kitsap St, Bainbridge Island ($8.8 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $705,400 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,555 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $117,990
- Pictured: 10000 NE Kitsap St, Bainbridge Island ($8.8 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#15. Sunnyslope
- Population: 3,704
- Median home value: $445,200 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,071 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $97,882
- Pictured: 725 Majestic View Dr, Wenatchee ($2.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $445,200 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,071 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $97,882
- Pictured: 725 Majestic View Dr, Wenatchee ($2.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#14. Cosmopolis
- Population: 1,610
- Median home value: $165,300 (72% own)
- Median rent: $864 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $56,979
- Pictured: 1132 4th St, Cosmopolis ($379,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $165,300 (72% own)
- Median rent: $864 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $56,979
- Pictured: 1132 4th St, Cosmopolis ($379,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#13. Hoquiam
- Population: 8,495
- Median home value: $110,900 (52% own)
- Median rent: $758 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $45,667
- Pictured: 47 Tulips Rd, Hoquiam ($3.9 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $110,900 (52% own)
- Median rent: $758 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $45,667
- Pictured: 47 Tulips Rd, Hoquiam ($3.9 million, 3 bedrooms)
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#12. Lofall
- Population: 1,973
- Median home value: $341,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,450 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $95,296
- Pictured: 26216 Ansell Rd NW, Poulsbo ($539,950, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $341,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,450 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $95,296
- Pictured: 26216 Ansell Rd NW, Poulsbo ($539,950, 3 bedrooms)
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#11. Normandy Park
- Population: 6,670
- Median home value: $635,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,439 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $89,313
- Pictured: 18505 Normandy Ter SW, Normandy Park ($3.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $635,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,439 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $89,313
- Pictured: 18505 Normandy Ter SW, Normandy Park ($3.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#10. Blaine
- Population: 5,313
- Median home value: $334,000 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,066 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $71,324
- Pictured: 6023 Birch Point Rd, Blaine ($5.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $334,000 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,066 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $71,324
- Pictured: 6023 Birch Point Rd, Blaine ($5.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#9. Anacortes
- Population: 16,977
- Median home value: $406,400 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,193 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $71,844
- Pictured: 2404 Washington Ct, Anacortes ($6.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $406,400 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,193 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $71,844
- Pictured: 2404 Washington Ct, Anacortes ($6.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#8. Raymond
- Population: 2,918
- Median home value: $93,100 (74% own)
- Median rent: $580 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $49,034
- Pictured: 3715 Lignoski Rd, Raymond ($375,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $93,100 (74% own)
- Median rent: $580 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $49,034
- Pictured: 3715 Lignoski Rd, Raymond ($375,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#7. Wollochet
- Population: 6,365
- Median home value: $494,900 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,575 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $99,077
- Pictured: 2602 64th St NW, Gig Harbor ($3.2 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $494,900 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,575 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $99,077
- Pictured: 2602 64th St NW, Gig Harbor ($3.2 million, 3 bedrooms)
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#6. South Bend
- Population: 1,500
- Median home value: $122,700 (70% own)
- Median rent: $548 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $41,250
- Pictured: 160 Wilson Ln, South Bend ($850,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $122,700 (70% own)
- Median rent: $548 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $41,250
- Pictured: 160 Wilson Ln, South Bend ($850,000, 4 bedrooms)
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#5. Colfax
- Population: 2,891
- Median home value: $166,000 (61% own)
- Median rent: $732 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $50,539
- Pictured: 62 Water St, Colfax ($614,000, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $166,000 (61% own)
- Median rent: $732 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $50,539
- Pictured: 62 Water St, Colfax ($614,000, 7 bedrooms)
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#4. Ocean Shores
- Population: 5,975
- Median home value: $233,300 (73% own)
- Median rent: $987 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $46,144
- Pictured: 289 Lake View Loop NE, Ocean Shores ($923,500, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $233,300 (73% own)
- Median rent: $987 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $46,144
- Pictured: 289 Lake View Loop NE, Ocean Shores ($923,500, 4 bedrooms)
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#3. Port Townsend
- Population: 9,551
- Median home value: $338,000 (58% own)
- Median rent: $957 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $51,389
- Pictured: 1040 Jefferson St, Port Townsend ($2.4 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $338,000 (58% own)
- Median rent: $957 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $51,389
- Pictured: 1040 Jefferson St, Port Townsend ($2.4 million, 3 bedrooms)
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#2. Clyde Hill
- Population: 3,329
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (89% own)
- Median rent: $2,714 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $238,958
- Pictured: 1421 88th Ave NE, Clyde Hill ($7.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (89% own)
- Median rent: $2,714 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $238,958
- Pictured: 1421 88th Ave NE, Clyde Hill ($7.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#1. Woodway
- Population: 1,105
- Median home value: $1,212,000 (97% own)
- Median rent: $1,625 (3% rent)
- Median household income: $194,904
- Pictured: 10920 S Deer Dr, Woodway ($3.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,212,000 (97% own)
- Median rent: $1,625 (3% rent)
- Median household income: $194,904
- Pictured: 10920 S Deer Dr, Woodway ($3.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
