Super Bowl Showdown: Seattle vs. New England – Where to Open Your Practice in 2026?VIDEO Listen to the podcast here: Podcast Transcript: Podcast Script Welcome to The Perfect Place to Put a Practice ! I’m your host, Mike Green, from Doctor Demographics. Today, we're throwing it back to one of the most memorable Super Bowls in history—the 2015 clash between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. That game was a nail-biter, with drama, strategy, and a controversial call at the end. But here on the podcast, we're not just reliving football glory; we're using it as inspiration to compare two powerhouse regions: the Pacific Northwest, home of the Seahawks, versus New England, the Patriots' turf. Specifically, we'll pit Washington and Oregon against Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine to see which is the better spot for practice owners to open a practice in 2026.
And we want to thank you for listening and supporting the podcast for over 10 years and over 300 episodes now. It's been an incredible journey helping professionals like you find the ideal locations to thrive. Also, for those of you in the dental world, if you haven’t checked out my book Dental Marketing Mastery yet, it's available in both softcover and Kindle versions on Amazon. We've received a lot of great feedback, and I know it will be helpful for your marketing efforts moving forward.
Alright, let's dive into today’s topic. Opening or expanding a dental practice is like prepping for the Super Bowl—you need the right strategy, the best team, and a field advantage. Location is that field. The Pacific Northwest and New England both have strong economies, beautiful landscapes, and dedicated populations, but they differ in ways that could make or break your practice's success. We'll break it down with data-driven insights on population growth, economic factors, practice owner saturation, competition, patient demand, and more. By the end, I'll reveal which region I think edges out the win for 2026 and why.
First, why does this comparison matter? As a practice owner, you're not just treating—you're running a business. Factors like population influx, income levels, insurance coverage, and competition directly impact your patient volume, revenue, and work-life balance. In 2026, with the U.S. dental market projected to reach $104 billion according to recent Verified Market Reports data, choosing the right region is crucial. The American Dental Association's latest workforce report shows over 200,000 practice owners nationwide, but distribution is uneven—urban areas are saturated, while growing regions offer opportunities.
Think of the Seahawks and Patriots: The Seahawks represent the dynamic, tech-fueled Pacific Northwest—innovative, growing fast, with a young, active fanbase. The Patriots embody New England's disciplined, established legacy—high education, affluent communities, but perhaps a bit more crowded and traditional. Let's see how they stack up on the field of dental practice potential.
Starting with population growth, a key driver for new patients. The Pacific Northwest is booming. According to U.S. Census projections for 2026, Washington State's population is expected to grow by about 1.2% annually, reaching over 8 million, driven by tech migration to Seattle and affordable suburbs in Oregon. Oregon itself is projected to add 0.8% yearly, hitting 4.3 million, with influxes from California escapees seeking lower costs and outdoor lifestyles. This growth means more families, young professionals, and retirees needing dental care—perfect for pediatric, cosmetic, and geriatric services.
Contrast that with New England. The region is stable but slower-growing. Census data shows Massachusetts at 0.4% annual growth to about 7 million by 2026, Connecticut at 0.2% to 3.6 million, and smaller states like Vermont and Maine even flatter at under 0.5%. Rhode Island and New Hampshire might see slight upticks from remote workers, but overall, New England's population is aging and not expanding as rapidly. This could mean steady but not explosive patient growth. Advantage: Pacific Northwest—it's like the Seahawks' offense, fast and aggressive.
Next, the economy—because patients need disposable income for elective procedures like whitening or implants. The Pacific Northwest shines here with tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft fueling high median incomes. In Washington, the median household income is projected at $95,000 by 2026, per Census forecasts, with Seattle areas topping $120,000. Oregon's around $85,000, boosted by Portland's creative economy. Unemployment is low at 3.5-4%, and job growth in tech and healthcare is 2-3% annually. This translates to patients who can afford premium services and have good insurance coverage—about 92% insured in both states, per KFF data.
New England has strong fundamentals too, with high education levels leading to solid incomes. Massachusetts boasts a median of $105,000, Connecticut $98,000, and even Maine at $70,000. But economic growth is slower—1-1.5% GDP increases vs. PNW's 2.5%. New England's economy relies on finance, education, and tourism, which are stable but vulnerable to recessions. Insurance coverage is high (95%+ in MA and CT), but higher living costs could squeeze elective spending. It's like the Patriots' defense—reliable, but not as flashy. Slight edge to PNW for growth momentum.
Now, let's talk practice owner saturation and competition. This is where the rubber meets the road. The ADA's 2024 workforce data shows New England has higher practice owner-to-population ratios: Massachusetts at 78.2 per 100,000, Connecticut 68.7, New Hampshire 62.4. Rhode Island is lower at 50.6, but overall, NE is more saturated, especially in urban hubs like Boston. From 2014-2024, many NE states saw decreases in ratios—CT down 9.2%, MA up only 0.9%—due to retirements, but projections to 2026 show stabilization with potential shortages in rural Maine and Vermont. HRSA data indicates fewer dental deserts in NE (e.g., CT: 42 shortage areas, MA: 56), meaning more competition.
In the Pacific Northwest, ratios are balanced but with room to grow. Washington around 70 per 100k (from BLS estimates), Oregon 65-70. Changes from 2014-2024: WA down 1.4%, OR down 5.5%, but with population growth, this creates opportunities. HRSA shortages: OR 133 areas, WA not top but has rural gaps. Berxi ranks Oregon #5 best state for practice owners, with low competition in growing areas. New England's NH #4, CT #6, but saturation in metros. For 2026, PNW offers more untapped markets, especially outside Seattle—less like a crowded Patriots huddle.
Patient demand and behavior are next. In PNW, the young, health-conscious population drives demand for preventive and cosmetic care. ADA surveys show high busyness in WA and OR practices, with 75% reporting full schedules. With tech workers' resolutions for better health, January surges in whitening and orthodontics are common. Insurance utilization is strong, but out-of-pocket spending is rising with high incomes.
New England has proactive patients too—high dental visit rates (lowest non-visit shares in MA, CT per U.S. News). But an aging population means more focus on restoratives and geriatrics. Busyness is stable, but Q4 2025 ADA data shows concerns over insurance reimbursements and staffing. Demand is steady, but not as dynamic as PNW's growth-driven influx.
Challenges: Both regions face staffing shortages—dental hygienists are hard to recruit everywhere, per ADA. Overhead costs are high in both (PNW tech rents, NE urban expenses), but PNW's growth might offset this. Natural disasters? PNW has earthquakes, NE hurricanes—but as we discussed in a past episode, preparation is key.
Wrapping up the comparison: Population growth favors PNW, economy slightly PNW, saturation less intense in PNW, demand vibrant in both but expanding in PNW.
So, what's the verdict? If I had to pick one region for opening a dental practice in 2026, I'd say the Pacific Northwest edges out the win—like the Seahawks almost did in that Super Bowl. With faster population growth, booming tech economy, and room for new practices in emerging areas, PNW offers more long-term potential. New England is a solid choice for established, high-income markets, but saturation and slower growth make it a tougher play. Of course, it depends on your specialty—rural NE for underserved areas, urban PNW for cosmetics.
Here's a quick tip: No matter where you choose, start with demographics. Analyze local trends three months before launch—use tools like Census data or our reports at Doctor Demographics.
Before we wrap up, let's talk about one last thing: specialty factors. If you're in pediatrics, PNW's young families are ideal. For geriatrics, NE's aging demo fits. At Doctor Demographics, we specialize in these analyses to help you pick the right place. If you're curious, head to our website at doctordemographics.com for a free consultation.
Alright, folks, that’s it for today’s episode of The Perfect Place to Put a Practice . I hope this Super Bowl-inspired showdown gave you a clearer picture of where to stake your claim in 2026. If you found this helpful, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share with a colleague pondering their next move.
If you’d like to continue this conversation, visit us at www.doctordemographics.com or give us a call at (844) 704-0499. We'll see you on the next episode.