Survey: 47% Seattle Businesses Consider Leaving City

A 2026 survey of Seattle businesses found weak confidence in the city’s business climate: respondents rated it 39 out of 100, 56% said it had worsened over the past year, and 61% were pessimistic about the coming year. About 47% said they had seriously considered moving jobs, operations or investment out of Seattle; among those weighing a move, public safety and taxes or fees were the most commonly cited concerns, followed by labor costs. Still, only 9% of respondents expected to relocate outside the city in the next year, while 19% anticipated shrinking and 17% expected growth. Many respondents called for a review of taxes and fees and supported more police and targeted safety measures in commercial areas, while Seattle business owners and city leaders have also stressed the importance of balancing business costs with workers’ ability to afford living in the city.