Washington is a state with numerous attractions and natural beauty, but certain cities are not particularly desirable to live in. Some areas of Washington should be avoided if you want a safe and comfortable place to live, whether owing to high crime rates, low livability rankings, or terrible economic situations.
In this essay, we will identify the worst city to live in Washington based on a variety of characteristics and data. We’ll also compare it to some of the other candidates for the title of worst location in the state. Finally, if you are contemplating a relocation to Washington, we will advise some better choices.
The Worst City: Shelton
According to RoadSnacks, a website that assesses towns based on a variety of metrics, Shelton is the worst place to live in Washington in 2023. Shelton, a tiny city in Mason County, with a population of around 10,000 people. It has a low livability score of 52 out of 100, indicating a lack of facilities and possibilities for a satisfying existence.
The high crime rate is one of the primary reasons why Shelton is Washington’s worst place to live. Shelton’s violent crime rate is 7.8 per 1,000 people, over double the national average. It also has a property crime rate of 51.8 per 1,000 people, more than double the national average. You have a 1 in 13 risk of becoming a victim of crime in Shelton, which is one of the highest in the state.
Another reason Shelton is the worst place to live in Washington is its dismal economy. Shelton’s typical household income is $46,667, which is lower than the national average of $62,843. It also has a poverty rate of 18.9%, higher than the national average of 13.4%. Shelton’s unemployment rate is 7.1%, higher than the national average of 6%. Shelton also has a low median house value of $189,800, indicating a shortage of demand and growth in the housing market.
Other Contenders
Shelton is not the only city in Washington with a low standard of living. Other contenders for the title of worst city to live in Washington include:
Fife, a tiny city in Pierce County, with a population of around 10,000 people. The violent crime rate is 7.66 per 1,000 inhabitants, while the property crime rate is 65.89 per 1,000 persons. Fife has the highest criminal victimization rate in the state, with a 1 in 15 risk of being a victim. Fife also has a poor livability score of 54 out of 100, indicating a lack of facilities and possibilities for a satisfying existence.
Tukwila is a city in King County, with a population of around 20,000 people. The violent crime rate is 7.77 per 1,000 inhabitants, while the property crime rate is 164.64 per 1,000 persons. Tukwila has a 1 in 6 probability of becoming a victim of crime, which is the state’s second-highest rate. Tukwila also has a poor livability score of 56 out of 100, indicating a lack of facilities and possibilities for a satisfying existence.
Spokane is Washington’s second-largest city, with a population of around 220,000 people. The violent crime rate is 6.17 per 1,000 inhabitants, whereas the property crime rate is 54.85 per 1,000 persons. In Spokane, you have a 1 in 16 risk of becoming a victim of crime, the third highest rate in the state. Spokane also has a poor livability score of 59 out of 100, indicating a lack of facilities and opportunities that contribute to a meaningful existence.
Better Alternative
If you are seeking a better area to live in Washington, you have several possibilities. According to RoadSnacks, the finest cities to reside in Washington include:
Sammamish is a city in King County, with a population of around 65,000 people. It gets a high livability score of 86 out of 100, indicating that it provides several amenities and possibilities to make living joyful and meaningful. It boasts a low crime rate, a high median household income of $147,349, a low poverty rate of 3.4%, and a $776,900 median property value.
Mercer Island is a city in King County, with a population of around 25,000 people. It gets a high livability score of 85 out of 100, indicating that it provides several amenities and possibilities to make living joyful and meaningful. It has a low crime rate, a high median household income of $146,476, a low poverty rate of 3.9%, and a large median home value of $1,112,300.
Bellevue is a city in King County and has a population of around 150,000 people. It gets a high livability score of 83 out of 100, indicating that it provides several amenities and possibilities to make living joyful and meaningful. It boasts a low crime rate, a high median household income of $113,698, a low poverty rate of 6.8%, and a $718,300 median property value.