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Fact text

  • The city's name is a creative mashup of 'Anne Curtis,' honoring a settler's wife, making Anacortes possibly the only U.S. city named after someone's spouse's middle and last name.
  • Anacortes gets only 21 inches of rain per year, half as much as Seattle, thanks to the Olympic Mountains blocking the clouds.
  • The town was founded on a dream of becoming the 'New York of the West,' but the railroad never showed up and the real estate bubble spectacularly burst in 1891.
  • Anacortes is the western end of a cross-country bicycle route that stretches all the way to Bar Harbor, Maine, so cyclists arriving here have earned a very long nap.
  • Every third Saturday in July, the whole town basically becomes one giant garage sale in an event gloriously called 'Shipwreck Day.'
Your
Anacortes
Retirement Outlook — in 90 seconds
Hosted by Michael McMillan, President of Annuities.net
Every figure mentioned is drawn from the same sourced public data shown below — and the video updates as the data does.
Stat icon
17,231
+
Total Population
Stat icon
$
74,161
Median Income
Stat icon
$
446,000
Median Home
Stat icon
29
%
Age 65+
Retirement Suitability
How
Anacortes
ranks for retirees?
48
/ 100

A blended, sourced view of how this city ranks for retirees across tax, affordability, healthcare, and climate.

Tax
79
Affordability
15
Healthcare
50
Climate
34

Results

Anacortes

Suitability Breakdown

Retirement tax planning
01 - Taxes

Retirement Tax Treatment

Tax
79

Washington levies no state income tax, so Social Security, pension payments, and retirement account withdrawals stay fully in your pocket at the state level.

State sales tax here runs about

%.

Source · Tax Foundation
79
Retirement tax planning
02 - Income

Annuity Rates Available Here

Affordability
15

Fixed annuity rates reach up to

7

% on 5-year terms, with most landing between

5

% and

5

%.

Source · Cannex
15
Retirement tax planning
03 - Healthcare

Hospital Access & Quality

Healthcare
50

The area has

3

Medicare-certified hospitals, averaging a

3

/5 CMS quality rating.

Source · CMS Hospital Compare
3
Retirement tax planning
04 - Climate

Weather & Comfort

Climate
34

A

Temperate

climate — summers peak near

72

°F, winters dip to about

36

°F, with roughly

2

″ of snow a year.

Source · NOAA Climate Normals
Temperate
Retirement tax planning
05 - Risk

Natural Disaster Risk

Risk
Relatively Moderate

FEMA's overall natural-disaster risk rating for this county on the National Risk Index.

Source · FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively Moderate

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Washington state tax my Social Security or pension income in retirement?

Washington state levies no income tax at all, which means Social Security benefits and pension payments are not taxed at the state level. Retirees in Anacortes keep those income streams intact from a state tax perspective. Federal taxes still apply depending on your situation, so consult a tax professional for your specific circumstances.

What hospitals are available near Anacortes for Medicare patients?

Three Medicare-certified hospitals serve the Anacortes area, averaging 3.33 out of 5 stars on the CMS quality rating system. That represents adequate access for a community of roughly 17,000 residents, though the ratings suggest care quality is middle-of-the-road rather than exceptional. Reviewing specific hospital ratings before choosing a provider is worthwhile.

How affordable is housing in Anacortes for someone planning retirement there?

The median home value in Anacortes is $446,000, which is notably higher than many inland communities. With a median household income of $74,161, housing costs represent a significant portion of a typical budget. Retirees considering relocating here should factor property costs carefully into their long-term income planning.

What is the natural disaster risk like for retirees living in Anacortes?

FEMA classifies this county’s overall natural-disaster risk as Relatively Moderate on its National Risk Index. The climate is temperate, with mild summers averaging 72 degrees and winters rarely severe, with only about 2 inches of annual snowfall. Relatively Moderate risk means some hazard exposure exists and is worth factoring into insurance and emergency planning.

Can a fixed annuity help cover living expenses for retirees in Anacortes?

Nearly 29% of Anacortes residents are 65 or older, and Washington’s no-income-tax environment means every dollar of retirement income goes further at the state level. A multi-year guaranteed annuity locks in a fixed interest rate for a set term, converting a lump sum into predictable growth or income. That certainty helps cover recurring essentials like healthcare near the area’s local hospitals without worrying about market swings. Current rates change often, so check our current annuity rates page for today’s figures.

Check Current Rates