Firstly why Yakima, Washington?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Yakima
• State: Washington
• Population: 92,285 people
• Yakima’s quick summary would be celebrated for its beautiful orchards and vibrant agricultural community this city is a haven for fruit lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 900 annually
• While this many move-out: 451 annually
• Net Migration: 449 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 1,300
• Number of Homeless people: 700

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features agricultural industry and access to outdoor recreation attracting families

Perk #1: Yakima Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 32%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 59%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $53,051
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Yakima is $67,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $13949 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Yakima’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 105 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $1,500
• Property Tax %: 1.14%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,600
• Rent for an average house: $1,600
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Yakima
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Yakima, Union Gap, and probably could include Selah
• Avg. Age of Homes in Yakima: 34 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.3%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Yakima’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Yakima are  Agriculture, Tourism, and Retail
• Yakima Job Scene: stable job market focusing on agriculture and local services
• The General Tech Scene: limited tech landscape primarily related to agriculture and community initiatives , ,
• Yakima Resident’s pay $1,500 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Yakima: 8.1%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 210 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 4

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Yakima

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $102 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-82 runs through Yakima providing east-west access in the state
• Commute Time: 26 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: backups on 40th Avenue
• Transportation Score: 28 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Yakima: 38,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.4
• No. of Car Washes: 4 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Yakima: dol.wa.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 55 of 100
• Local Airport: Yakima Air Terminal

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Yakima’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfire
• General Weather in Yakima is best described as hot summers cool winters with low humidity
• Winter Weather in Yakima i’d describe as cold with dry conditions
• Spring Weather in Yakima can be described as mild and dry
• Summer’s in Yakima are mostly warm and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Yakima is usually mild and dry
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 41 days in summer
• Days in a row in Yakima below Freezing: 4
• Average Annual Rainfall: 8 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality maintained with minimal pollution sources
• Yakima Winter Air generally good air quality slightly affected by dust

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Yakima Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Yakima 3
• While the number of trade schools inside Yakimas’s city limits are 1
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Yakima Valley Libraries

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Yakima Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 11 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Yakima only Doctors is about 65
• Local Hospitals here is  2
• Full-time Yakima only Police Officers is about 60
• Crime Rate Index: 82/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Yakima’s Monthly utility bill average is $175
• Yakima’s Monthly Gym Membership: $35
• Yakima’s Water Quality Score: 60

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Yakima

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 4 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: agricultural city with a focus on local events and wine industry
• You might enjoy concerts at the Yakima Valley SunDome
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Yakima  features friendly bars and restaurants suitable for comfortable evening outings with the community

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Yakima

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Offers local dining options and a mix of casual eateries
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 90 scattered around Yakima
• The Popular Sports Team is Yakima Valley Pippins
• Top Level Political Climate in Yakima can be described as politically mixed area with influences from agriculture and local governance
• Yakima’s Longer standing religious establishment is Yakima First Baptist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Yakima Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Yakima has 7 Parks?
• Yakima Greenway is Yakima’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Yakima Farmers Market normally open Sunday 9am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, cycling, and outdoor festivals

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Yakima Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Yakima can be described as moderate pace influenced by agriculture and outdoor activities
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Yakima hiking trails visiting parks community picnics
• The Cities people commute to from Yakima are De-Pere 7 miles away Howard 7 miles away Allouez 6 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Yakima or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: backups on 40th Avenue. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Yakima’s Wildfire risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Yakima is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Yakima are De-Pere 7 miles away Howard 7 miles away Allouez 6 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 82 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Yakima has 4 days in a row below freezing and 41 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Yakima people have an average (positive or negative) $13949 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   700 homeless people living in Yakima. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general politically mixed area with influences from agriculture and local governance could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Yakima.

Retiree & Senior Life in Yakima

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might receive financial assistance regarding property taxes enhancing their business
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is American Legion
• Yakima Senior Center features various social activities health resources and community engagement opportunities

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Yakima, Washington?

If Yakima, Washington ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Yakima, Washington, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!