A recent survey of business owners living in Washington state indicates many are looking to move their personal residence out of the state, though many of them would continue to operate their business in the state. 

Responses to the quarterly survey of the Association of Washington Business by more than 400 employers indicated that 44% are considering moving their homes to states such as Arizona, Idaho, Montana or Wyoming.  

Survey respondents cited the state’s rising tax burden and other cost pressures as motivation for possible relocation. 

“With lawmakers back in Olympia and debating even more new taxes, they need to understand that Washington employers, especially small- and medium-sized businesses, are under severe strain right now,” said Kris Johnson, AWB president, in a statement. “We need lawmakers to support a plan to grow the economy, not tax it more, if we want to avoid stagnant employment, worsening competitiveness and businesses leaving our state.” 

the number of employers looking to move their business to another state increased to 17% of respondents, up from 9% the previous year, with taxes and the rising cost of living as the most frequently cited reasons. 

Among the biggest challenges cited by survey respondents, Taxes remained at the top with 64%, followed by the cost of health care (62%) and government regulations (54%). Concern about inflation dropped from 52% to 40%. Concern about tariffs is down from 37% last quarter to 30%, yet more than half of respondents continue to report negative impacts from tariffs. 

Expectations of a recession occurring in Washington sometime in the next year declined from the previous quarter, dropping from 41% to 34%, but remains above the 17% reported a year ago. 

To read the survey, go to: bit.ly/awb-emp.