Top States for Business 2021

9. Washington

The Evergreen State is welcoming, and one of the easiest to vote in. But high costs will leave you low on funds.

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Washington Score and Ranking

Category 2021 Score 2021 Rank 2019 Rank 2021 Grade
Cost of Doing Business1683632C-
Workforce18373C
Life, Health & Inclusion2607--B+
Infrastructure2312939A-
Business Friendliness1501635B
Access to Capital67399D+
Economy135115B+
Technology & Innovation13242A
Education931411B
Cost of Living203838D-
Overall143995--

Economic Profile

Governor: Jay Inslee, Democrat

Population: 7,693,612

GDP growth (Q1 2021): 6%

Unemployment rate (May 2021): 5.3%

Top corporate tax rate: None (levies a gross receipts tax)

Top individual income tax rate: None

Gasoline tax: 49.40 cents/gallon

Bond rating (S&P): AA+, stable

Major private employers: Costco Wholesale, Microsoft

Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute (excluding 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence

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