Although Silicon Valley is still considered to be the tech hub of the world, other cities on the West Coast, including Seattle, are becoming more attractive to tech startups — in addition to other lucrative industries. One primary reason for Seattle’s appeal to business owners is the city’s rapidly increasing population. Beyond that, artists and small business owners have laid the groundwork for Seattle’s alluring culture and growth potential making the city an appealing destination for many companies.
Currently, more than 250,000 people in Washington work in technology-related professions, and the industry is seeing growth of about 10 percent each year. 90 percent of these workers are located in Seattle and the Sea-Tac metropolitan area. Amazon is headquartered in Seattle, while other major tech companies like Microsoft are hubbed in Bellevue. So what does all this growth mean for the city? Learn more about the impact on Seattle’s economy.
Seattle is a place where lots of people are looking to relocate, but very few people are moving away from. During the construction boom of the early 2000s, people started moving to the city in masses, and it hasn’t slowed down. In 2017, Seattle was the ninth most popular destination search for people looking to move to another state and purchase a home.
The city of Seattle houses many major employers in a variety of industries including aviation, tech, military, education, healthcare, retail, and lumber. The minimum wage in Seattle is $15 per hour, which is the highest in the U.S.
Demand for workers with tech skills is outweighing supply in Seattle. In 2017, 4,000 jobs were available for people with computer science degrees, but only 500 in-state residents qualified. The remaining 3,500 positions had to be filled by recruiting people outside of Washington. Seattle is becoming more appealing than Silicon Valley for tech employees because the cost of living is much lower.
Small businesses and startups are making their mark in Seattle as well. Last year, the city’s startups raised $583 million from investors. Lots of businesses outside the state are looking into the cost of operating out of the Seattle metropolitan area.
If you’re thinking of starting a business in Seattle, you’re not alone. Business owners are setting up shop in the city for a variety of reasons. Seattle offers affordable industrial space, more affordable housing than other major cities, and excellent public transportation.
Whether you’re starting a company in Seattle, moving your business, or relocating for a new job, All Service Moving has you covered. We offer a personalized and cost-effective moving experience for both short-distance and long-distance moves. Contact us at All Service Moving to get a quote for your move to Seattle!