What it's like to live in Washington
Washington is a small city in Utah with unemployment below the national average, household incomes running above the national average, crime rates well below the national average, and commutes that run shorter than most cities. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Washington deals with home prices well above the national average, larger class sizes than the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, and very hot summers.
The good
- Low unemployment
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Fast-growing population
The not so good
- High home prices
- High student-teacher ratio
- High rent burden for renters
- Very hot summers
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Washington compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Washington
Based on Washington's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,228
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $64,560 a year
- 52% of Washington renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$114,080
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $57,040
- Homes cost 6.2× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 14% above US
$1,614/mo median rent
Rent is pretty middle of the road, at $1,614 a month median. Not a bargain, not a budget-buster. About typical for a city this size. Home prices are steep, with a median around $570,400. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $570,400 · 52% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 23% below US
3.3% unemployment
Unemployment here is 3.3%, a little below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 67% below US
110 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 803/100k · Washington Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 30% below US
18 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 18.2 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 13% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers run seriously hot, with average highs pushing 99°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 30°F and snow a regular occurrence. It's a dry climate with limited rainfall.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforceNear US average
36% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 36% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
10 public schools inside the boundary
There are 10 public schools inside the boundary. The student-to-teacher ratio is 22:1, above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Zion National Park (28 miles away). There are 7 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Washington's strongest points are unemployment below the national average and household incomes running above the national average; the main tradeoffs are home prices well above the national average and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin. A year of median rent ($1,614/mo) equals 21% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit job seekers, anyone prioritizing low crime, and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive and people who struggle with heat.
Other places near Washington
All Utah guides →Moving to St. George →
6 mi away · pop. 101,995
Rent $1,545/mo · Income $76,508
Compare with Washington →Moving to Hurricane →
8 mi away · pop. 22,771
Rent $1,426/mo · Income $75,016
Compare with Washington →Moving to Cedar City →
44 mi away · pop. 38,524
Rent $1,054/mo · Income $63,589
Compare with Washington →Not sure Washington is the one?
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