Washington 64 Good
Washington Livability #338 ranked city in North Carolina#13,738 ranked city in the USARanks better than 53% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Washington

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Crime Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

  • Employment Employment

    This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Washington?

Located in the state of North Carolina, Washington is a smaller city with a population of 9,766 people. Individuals of White (56%) and Black or African American (38%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Washington is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Washington could be a positive experience compared to other cities in North Carolina if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Washington and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, cost of living, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the North Carolina and national averages.

Washington has a livability score of 65 out of 100 and is ranked #282 in North Carolina and #12,194 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we know that Washington ranks very well for cost of living (A+) and housing (B). On a more negative note, Washington does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F), crime (D-), education (D-) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Washington has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Washington. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Washington are affordable. The median home price for Washington homes is $259,832, which is 10.2% lower than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Washington, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.7, which is 14.6% higher than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Washington

See all the best places to live around Washington

How Do You Rate The Livability In Washington?

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Compare Washington, NC Livability

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      Washington transportation information

      Statistic Washington North Carolina National
      Average one way commute17min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work85.1%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.9%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.3%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home4.5%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Washington, NC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.