8 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire In Washington

The state of Washington is often portrayed in the collective imagination as rainy and cloudy. It is famed for its epic forests, its rugged land along the Pacific, and for being the center of many trends, from coffee to tech companies to grunge. Whether you want to live by the ocean or inland with views of the natural, dramatic beauty of the state, Washington has many options. It can also be surprisingly affordable, especially for retirees. The median sale price of homes in Washington is $643,500, and there are many communities with housing costs significantly lower than the state median. If you venture outside of the larger cities, many of Washington’s smaller cities and towns can be welcoming and budget-friendly.

Sequim

Located on the north side of the Olympic Peninsula, on the northwest coast of Washington, Sequim sits just north of the Olympic Mountains, giving the town of 8,024 a spectacular backdrop. Known as the Lavender Capital of North America, Sequim is renowned for its commercial cultivation of lavender, which thrives in abundance due to its warm-summer Mediterranean climate. Being near the ocean, seafood is part of the culinary culture, and in particular, the local Dungeness crab, named for the Dungeness Spit. The longest natural sand spit in the United States, Dungeness, juts out around 5 miles from the northern point of the Olympic Peninsula and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Unsurprisingly due to its natural beauty, Sequim attracts individuals interested in outdoor activities. For budget-minded retirees, housing prices are below the state median at $479,950. Its location at the foot of the Olympic Mountains also keeps the town remarkably dry, with far less annual rain than other parts of the state. For hiking and biking opportunities, the Olympic Discovery Trail is a vast trail that leads through Sequim and ends at the Pacific shore. The area’s famed floral crop is celebrated annually on the Sequim Lavender Weekend. For food, Salty Girls Seafood Co. is an affordable and cozy restaurant, while the Oak Table Cafe is a family-run bistro featuring all-day breakfasts.

Ocean Shores

Located on the coast, Ocean Shores is a small city of 7,731 residents, situated on the Point Brown Peninsula, with the ocean on three sides of the city. Its maritime location is a big part of its image. With so much coastline, beaches are a primary attraction to Ocean Shores, and the area is known for its whale spotting opportunities. For the budget-minded retiree, the city is a good location with a median housing price of $345,370. For outdoor enthusiasts, access to the ocean provides numerous activities, including boating, ocean fishing, and the small but challenging Ocean Shores Golf Course.

Just north of the city is the pine and dune Ocean City State Park, ideal for watching migratory birds, while to the south is the Oyhut Wildlife Recreation Area, a nesting site for snowy plovers. Beach activities include horseback riding, with Honey Pearl Ranch offering hourly horseback rides. The Ocean Shores North Jetty is known for its rockfish fishing. The commercial district has a variety of shops, antique stores, galleries, cafes, and bars, many of which are beach-themed. Sharky’s is a shark-themed shop on the beach, while Bennett’s Fish Shack is famous for their crabcakes.

Aberdeen

If you are part of a particular generation that will soon begin retiring, you may know Aberdeen, Washington, as the birthplace of the 1990s musical force, Kurt Cobain, and his band, Nirvana. There is definitely a tourist industry in Aberdeen dedicated to Cobain’s memory, including the town motto “Come As You Are,” after the Nirvana song of the same name. Once a thriving part of the Northwest timber industry, Aberdeen has turned to tourism for its rebirth as a coastal city worth visiting. As a destination for retirees, the timber industry has a rich history in the city of 17,013. The good news is that Aberdeen is very affordable, with median housing prices of $300,620, well below the state median. With its proximity to the Pacific and the Olympic National Forest, water-based activities and other outdoor pursuits are a significant part of the revitalized Aberdeen. The Olympic National Forest spans over 632,000 acres and is home to the only temperate rainforest in the lower 48 states. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, one feature is the Hood Canal fjord.

The Grays Harbor Historical Seaport is a non-profit public development project that is part of the city’s rebirth, focusing on the city’s maritime history and featuring the historical ship Lady Washington. The revitalized downtown now features boutiques, cafes, antique stores, and bars. For seafood at reasonable prices, there’s Breakwater Seafoods & Chowder House with outdoor seating along the river. For upscale dining, Rediviva Restaurant serves locally sourced, contemporary fare.

Hoquiam

If Aberdeen seems too urban for you, nearby Hoquiam has a similar lumbering history but, as the smaller of the two cities, maintains a definite seaside charm. With a population of 8,776, the name Hoquiam comes from the Native American word for “hungry for wood,” referring to the amount of driftwood found in the Hoquiam River. For those seeking a small, oceanfront community that is both welcoming and budget-friendly, Hoquiam is a good choice. The median housing price is $267,870, far below the state median. For those interested in outdoor activities, Hoquiam’s location on the ocean is ideal for boating, fishing, whale-watching, and kayaking on local rivers.

The Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Grays Harbor Estuary, one of six on the Pacific Coast. The refuge has one of the largest concentrations of shorebirds on the West Coast. The bordering woodlands are also known for their spectacular birdwatching of migratory birds. For city activities, Hoquiam has the 7th Street Theatre, built in 1928 and one of the few remaining examples of atmospheric theaters from the 1920s. These movie palaces featured elaborate interiors, utilizing projectors, paint, and architectural elements to evoke a sense of being outdoors. The 7th Street Theatre is on the National Register of Historic Places. There is a year-round farmers market, several museums, and a lively downtown shopping district. For food, there’s 8th Street Ale House, a gastropub with reasonable prices, and Al’s Hum Dinger offers burgers, diner food, and seafood in a casual atmosphere.

Clarkston

Clarkston is a small city situated on the eastern side of the state, near the Idaho border. Clarkston, in fact, is twinned with the Idaho city of Lewiston, Idaho, across the Snake River. Both were named for early 19th-century explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who had camped on the Snake River in 1805. Clarkston is the newer of the two cities, having been founded as a planned community in 1896 by the Lewiston-Clarkston Improvement Company, a hydroelectric company. Clarkston has a population of 7,161 and is an affordable city, with a median house price of $257,250.

For sights in the city, there’s the Clarkson US Post Office, the area’s only Depression-era federal architecture building. Constructed in 1941 in the Starved Rock Classical style, the interior features a wood bas-relief called "Lewis and Clark" by JD McGovern, itself a product of the New Deal work programs for artists. The CC Van Arsdol House is an elaborate residence built in several stages, beginning in 1880. Built by Cassius C. Van Arsdol, a local engineer, the house is a mix of additions, creating a complex house with no traditional central focus. For local wines, ⁦Basalt Cellars ⁩⁦produces small-lot Washington wines⁩⁦ and offers tastings and appetizers. Across the bridge in Lewiston is Clearwater Canyon Cellars, a winery with a tasting room and features occasional hosted events with multi-course meals paired with their wines.

Moses Lake

Moses Lake is a city of 26,969, originally named Neppel, and was later named after Moses Lake, the body of water. An early agricultural trading center, an Army Air Base was established here during World War II. The base remains a vital part of the community. The city sits on the eastern shore of the lake. Surrounding the city are thousands of acres of irrigated land, a source of prosperity for the region. On the south side of the city lie the Potholes Reservoir and the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. Both have a large number of seep lakes that are home to migratory birds, making them havens for birdwatching.

With a median price of $340,000, housing in Moses Lake is very affordable, and the area’s strong economy makes for a high standard of living. For area activities, the Moses Lake Mud Flats and Sand Dunes offer different outdoor activities, including off-road vehicle events. The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center focuses on the human and natural history of the Columbia Basin⁩⁦ as well as the work of local artists. The shopping district offers shops, antiques, specialized boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and bars. For food, the Moore Brewing Co. is a brew pub with a menu at reasonable prices. Michael’s on the Lake offers a patio with lake views, serving steaks and seafood.

Grandview

Grandview is a city of 10,907 residents in the Yakima Valley of south-central Washington. The economy is primarily agricultural, with valley growing conditions ideal for apples, cherries, Concord grapes, and wine grapes, as well as hops. The agricultural sector is supported by the area's many processing plants and cold storage facilities. It is a thriving community, with a culture deeply rooted in its agricultural heritage. For housing, the median price of $351,740 is significantly below the state median, and its strong economy supports an excellent standard of living. Mount Rainier and Mount Adams serve as a backdrop to the city, which sees an average of 300 days of sunshine each year.

For area attractions, there’s Bill’s Berry Farm, a pick-your-own fruit farm featuring organic fruit, including blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and Rainier cherries, plus pumpkins, squash, and gourds. There is a petting farm and playground on site, and they host summer fruit festivals from May through August, with their biggest event, the fall festival, taking place in September and October. Yakima Valley Vintners is a teaching winery that is part of the Yakima Valley College’s Vineyard & Winery Technology Program. They produce 400 to 700 cases of handcrafted wine each year, and offer tasting rooms and host an annual Yakima Valley Spring Barrel Tasting featuring student-made wines. The Grandview Museum focuses on local history, and for food, Molcajetes Family Mexican Restaurant serves traditional Mexican cuisine.

Sunnyside

Located in the center of the Yakima Valley, Sunnyside is located in the heart of the Yakima Wine Region. Much of its economy is based on wine and agritourism, and it remains an affordable place to live, especially for retirees. The median house price is $265,000, which is significantly lower than the state median. The city has a warm and sunny climate, with an average of 300 days of sunshine each year. Farming heritage is the main focus of the town, and farm stands and small farmers' markets can be found throughout the city and the surrounding area. Sunnyside has a vibrant shopping district, with plenty of shopping, antique, and boutique stores.

The Sunnyside Historical Museum focuses on local history. With its focus on the wine industry, wine touring is an ideal activity, with over 50 wineries in the immediate area. Sunnyside is a good base for exploring the wineries. Tours and detailed wine maps are available for the entire Yakima Wine Region. In addition to wine, Yakima Valley grows more than 75% of the hops in the US, and Sunnyside is home to a growing number of breweries. Snipes Mountain Brewery & Restaurant is the oldest operating brewery in the Valley, offering craft beer and an extensive menu. The Yakima Valley Beer Trail offers a tour of breweries throughout the Valley, and the annual Sunnyside Summer Ale Fest celebrates the area's thriving brewing traditions.

The Varied Landscapes of Washington

For those looking to retire while saving money, Washington offers a wide range of options. From wine country, lush valleys, dense Pacific Northwest forests, and the Pacific Ocean coast, Washington is more than Seattle, Starbucks, and rain. For retirees seeking to relocate, the state offers numerous options to suit your interests and lifestyle. The best news is that Washington can be affordable for budget-minded individuals looking for a beautiful place to retire. The best news is that Washington is a very affordable place to live, boasting some of the country's best natural beauty.