Living in Vancouver, WA
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2024 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Vancouver, WA? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Vancouver, WA

With an incredible location between the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean and along the shores of the Columbia River, living in Vancouver, WA, offers its own kind of magic.

This Pacific Northwest community of nearly 201,000 residents understands the wealth of amenities at its doorstep, just 20 minutes from Portland. Vancouver has a happening downtown district — historic charm but completely modern — with public art, fun breweries and diverse restaurants.

As far as business goes, Vancouver and Clark County are part of the Silicon Forest, with software companies and startups that want a desirable home base. In fact, small businesses make up more than 95% of the city’s economy, so entrepreneurs can find their rhythm here.

Back to the outdoors. The easy access to the Columbia River and the Cascade Mountains entice residents to explore their gorgeous surroundings. Or stay closer to home and stroll around Vancouver Waterfront Park and Grant Street Pier. After a day outside, you can duck into a coffee shop or a cozy bakery for a sweet treat. Or kick your feet up and appreciate the region’s burgeoning craft beer and wine scene. 

Vancouver is inclusive, too, with a proud LGBTQ community and a longtime Pride celebration. And speaking of festivals, Vancouver celebrates it all, from an international food festival and the Clark County Fair to art made from recycled materials.

Vancouver is a vibrant city in southwestern Washington, situated on the Columbia River’s north bank — across from Portland — right along Interstate 5. Portland International Airport is about 10 miles away, a busy spot for flights near and far. When you’re set to explore, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:

• Portland, Oregon, is just 10 miles south, where you can enjoy the Rose City’s arts scene, craft breweries and Powell’s City of Books.
• Seattle sits 165 miles north, offering the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture and Pike Place Market.
• Tacoma is about 140 miles north, tempting with the Museum of Glass, Point Defiance Zoo and Ruston Way Waterfront.

The area’s year-round climate is mild, with temperatures rarely dipping below freezing and temperate summers that seldom go into the 80s. Spring brings a few showers, and fall is gorgeous.

Manufacturing, health care and technology are three of the area’s largest industries. Small businesses make up nearly 95% of the city’s economy. A few major employers include health care giants like PeaceHealth and Banfield Pet Hospital, Evergreen Public Schools and startups like RS Medical. Nearby Portland offers even more opportunities for anyone interested in commuting to work for name brands like Nike and Columbia Sportswear. 

The cost of living in Vancouver is slightly higher than the national average. The median home value in Vancouver is $483,547, and the average household income is $112,845. 

Washington residents do not pay a state income tax, and local residents can expect an 8.7% sales tax rate in 2025. 

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Variety is the spice of life in Vancouver, blending history and outdoor recreation into the day-to-day lifestyles of residents. History enthusiasts can recount the Lewis & Clark expedition to establish Fort Vancouver through museums and historical sites. There are also plenty of opportunities for artists to appreciate local talent, with galleries and performance venues. Family-friendly is the name of the game, too; there are tons of attractions like the Vancouver Community Library’s children’s discovery zone and the scenic waterfront, which offers shopping, dining and water activities.

Downtown Vancouver is vibrant and full of unique shops, galleries and eateries, particularly in Uptown Village. The community-focused city holds several annual events and festivals, such as the Vancouver Farmers Market, Clark County Fair and Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival. 

Get out and about in Vancouver, which caters to all seasons and interests. Residents can explore tons of scenic trails and waterfalls or hike along the Columbia River Gorge and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Vancouver is an outdoor oasis with over 90 parks, 20 natural areas and over 20 miles of trails for walking, running, cycling, rollerblading and more. Hit the water and enjoy kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding on the Columbia River and Vancouver Lake Regional Park. The Waterfront Renaissance Trail offers scenic walks and rollerblading, and Esther Short Park offers family-friendly spaces for picnics and play. Beyond the parks are numerous golf courses and campgrounds, and Mount Hood is a great spot to hit the slopes. 

The city has a rapidly growing culinary scene that shines. Unique spots like Bleu Door Bakery, known for its French-inspired pastries, and Larson’s Bakery, famous for its Danish pastries, are favorites.

The local craft beer scene is booming, with over two dozen breweries and taprooms. The city is also part of Southwest Washington’s wine country. Fortside Brewing, Loowit Brewing and Heathen Brewing Feral Public House add to the city’s dynamic food and drink culture. Looking for something alcohol-free? Coffee is a culture here, and locals love spots like Kafiex Roasters, Compass Coffee and Relevant Coffee.

5 Delicious Reasons to Eat and Drink in Vancouver, WA, Right Now

Vancouver residents are well-educated, and families can appreciate the many choices regarding early childhood education. Three public school districts serve the area: Vancouver Public Schools, Evergreen Public Schools and Washougal School District. Though performance varies from school to school and district to district, a ton of variety is available, including specialized programs in STEM and dual language. Residents can also choose between charter school and private school options. The Gardner School of Arts and Sciences is a private school focusing on arts and science education, offering students a well-rounded curriculum.