24% WA Businesses Consider Leaving State, AWB Survey Shows – Washington 2026

Key Points

• A quarterly survey by the Association of Washington Business (AWB) conducted last month shows 24% of Washington employers considering moving their business out of state.
• Even more respondents are contemplating relocating their personal residences out of Washington.
• Confidence in Washington’s economy has dropped significantly compared to previous quarters.
• Plans to expand businesses have declined, while intentions to relocate both businesses and personal homes have risen.
• In Spokane County, 67% of respondents are considering moving their personal residence to another state.
• From Q1 to Q2 2026, personal relocation considerations rose from 45% to 55%.
• The survey tracks trends over time, including a new question added in January on personal moves.

Washington (Evening Washington News) May 8, 2026 –

Nearly one in four Washington businesses is now considering leaving the state, according to a new survey that highlights deepening economic pessimism among employers in the Evergreen State. The findings, released by the Association of Washington Business (AWB), come amid rising concerns over the state’s business climate, with 24% of respondents reporting they are eyeing a move out of state. Even broader discontent shows in personal relocation plans, as more business owners ponder exiting Washington altogether.

The survey, conducted last month, captures a snapshot of employer sentiment across the state. It reveals not just current standings but troubling trends when viewed against prior quarters.

“It showed a precipitous decline in people’s confidence in Washington’s economy,”

said AWB’s Vice President of Government Relations Morgan Irwin in a Wednesday interview with The Center Square, as reported by journalist Rachel Wright.

Irwin emphasised the survey’s role in tracking changes over time.

“The reason we do a quarterly survey is so that we can show not only where we’re at in a single point in time, but we could show trends over time,”

he stated in the same interview covered by The Center Square. This approach allows AWB to monitor shifts in key indicators like economic confidence and expansion plans.

Why Are Washington Businesses Losing Confidence in the State Economy?

A core question emerges from the data: what drives this erosion of faith in Washington’s economic prospects? The AWB survey points to declining optimism across multiple fronts. Respondents reported lower confidence in the overall economy compared to earlier periods. Plans to expand operations have also fallen, signaling hesitation among businesses to invest and grow within the state.

Irwin detailed these shifts during his discussion with The Center Square.

“Are you confident in our economy? That number has dropped. Are you planning to expand your business? That number dropped. Are you planning to move your business out of state? That number increased,”

he explained. These metrics reflect a broader downturn, with negative indicators rising and positive ones waning between the first and second quarters of 2026.

The survey’s full results, available on the AWB website, underscore the scale of the issue. About 24% of employers now contemplate relocating their operations elsewhere, a figure that has climbed steadily. This percentage captures businesses of varying sizes and sectors, though the survey does not break down responses by industry in the initial release.

What Does the Survey Say About Personal Relocation Plans?

Personal moves represent an even starker trend. The survey introduced a question in January 2026 specifically targeting whether business owners are considering shifting their personal domicile out of state. Initial responses showed 45% contemplating such a change. By the second quarter, that figure had surged to 55%, according to Irwin’s account in The Center Square.

Regional variations amplify the concern. In Spokane County, located a short drive from the Idaho border, 67% of respondents indicated they were considering moving their personal residence to another state. This high figure in eastern Washington highlights geographic disparities, with proximity to borders potentially easing relocation considerations.

“Are you planning to move your personal domicile out of state? That went from 45% in January up to 55% three months later,”

Irwin added in the interview. He described the quarter-over-quarter changes as “increases in everything you don’t want to increase and decreases in everything you do want to increase.” Coverage in The Center Square by Rachel Wright provides the primary sourcing for these precise figures and statements.

How Does This Survey Differ from Previous Quarters?

The quarterly nature of the AWB survey enables direct comparisons, painting a picture of accelerating pessimism. Irwin noted in his The Center Square interview that the latest results show uniform deterioration. Business relocation considerations stand at 24%, up from prior readings, though exact prior percentages for business moves were not specified in the release.

The addition of the personal domicile question in January marks a key evolution. It broadens the survey beyond purely commercial decisions to include life-altering choices by owners. This change, as Irwin explained, helps AWB gauge the human element behind business trends.

“One of the things that we added to our survey in January, was ‘is a person looking to move?’ Is a business owner looking to move their personal domicile out of state?” he said.

No other media outlets beyond The Center Square and the AWB’s own announcement have been identified as covering this specific survey in detail as of May 8, 2026. The AWB press release serves as the foundational source, with Irwin’s interview providing interpretive context without introducing external data.

Why Is Spokane County Seeing Such High Relocation Interest?

Spokane County’s 67% figure for personal moves stands out in the survey. Its location near the Idaho border may contribute, offering a straightforward path for those seeking alternatives. The AWB data does not delve into specific reasons for regional differences, but the proximity factor is noted by Irwin in The Center Square coverage.

This eastern Washington hotspot contrasts with statewide averages, suggesting that border areas face amplified pressures. Whether due to cost of living, taxes, regulations, or other factors remains unstated in the survey, which focuses on sentiment rather than causation.

The full dataset, linked via AWB’s site, invites further analysis by researchers and policymakers. It includes responses from employers statewide, though sample size and methodology details appear in the original report.

Background of the Survey Development

The Association of Washington Business has conducted quarterly surveys for several years to monitor employer sentiment. This iteration, fielded last month, builds on established questions about economic confidence, expansion plans, and now includes the personal relocation metric added in January 2026. The survey targets employers across Washington, aiming to inform advocacy efforts on policy issues affecting businesses. AWB, as the state’s chamber of commerce, uses these insights to lobby for improvements in the business climate. The latest release aligns with their ongoing tracking, with data collected amid national economic discussions but focused squarely on Washington-specific trends. Full methodology and historical comparisons reside on the AWB platform.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Washington Businesses

This survey signals potential outflows that could strain Washington’s tax base and workforce. If 24% of businesses proceed with relocation plans, local economies may lose jobs and revenue, prompting reduced services or higher taxes on remaining firms. The 55% personal relocation interest, especially the 67% in Spokane County, risks a brain drain of experienced owners, hindering innovation and mentorship for new ventures. Supply chains could disrupt as interdependent businesses exit, raising costs for those who stay. Labour markets might tighten if workers follow owners out of state, exacerbating hiring challenges. Policymakers may face pressure to address root concerns, potentially stabilising sentiment, but sustained pessimism could accelerate the trends observed from Q1 to Q2 2026.