Seattle businesses gave the city's overall business climate a 39 out of 100 in a new survey released Monday, Oct. 26.
The 2026 Business Climate Survey, conducted by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Seattle Association, collected responses from 247 businesses between Aug. 26 and Sept. 25.
Respondents rated the city government's responsiveness to business needs even lower, at 26 out of 100.
Public safety and taxes tied as the top challenges, each selected by 64% of respondents. Homelessness and behavioral health conditions followed at 61%, and labor costs at 59%.
The scores land as the Seattle City Council prepares to review Mayor Katie Wilson's proposed $9.1 billion budget for 2027–2028. Budget briefings begin Tuesday, Oct. 27, with a public hearing set for Nov. 5, according to MyNorthwest.
Nearly half of respondents, 47%, said they had seriously considered moving operations, jobs or investment out of Seattle in the past year. Among those who considered leaving, 59% cited public safety concerns and 59% cited taxes or fees.
Only 17% expect their Seattle operations to grow over the next 12 months. Another 19% expect to shrink and 9% plan to relocate outside the city. The largest group, 49%, expects to hold steady.
"These findings should be a wake-up call, but they should also be a roadmap," said Joe Nguyen, president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
He said businesses need safer commercial districts, more predictable taxes and fees, and a city government that treats the business environment as fundamental to jobs and investment.
When asked what would keep them in Seattle, 70% of respondents pointed to improved public safety. A stronger downtown recovery followed at 56%, with greater tax and fee predictability at 43% and more support for small businesses at 40%.
The survey also tested specific policy proposals. Reviewing taxes and fees for their impact on the business climate drew 91% support. Hiring additional Seattle Police Department officers and stabilizing department leadership drew 89%.
Targeted public safety investment in commercial districts, including closed-circuit television and the Real Time Crime Center, drew 84%.
The numbers carry a caveat. The survey was voluntary and self-selected, meaning results reflect the businesses that chose to respond rather than a random sample of all Seattle businesses. Three-quarters of respondents have operated in Seattle for more than a decade, and 34% have been in business for more than 30 years.
Wilson's proposed budget includes $183 million in ongoing homelessness investments and funding for 1,250 sworn police positions in each year of the two-year budget, according to MyNorthwest.
The mayor's office had not publicly responded to the survey findings as of Monday, Oct. 26.
The council is expected to adopt the final budget by early December.
