7% capital gains tax on gains over ~$262k (no wage income tax)
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate
0.83%
metro-area
#93 of 200
Median property tax paid
$3,841
metro-area
#150 of 200
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
79.5 years
metro-area
#29 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#65 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)
7.1%
metro-area
#66 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k
67
metro-area
#142 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$16,000
state
#150 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$200
state
#135 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
Discontinued emissions testing in 2020
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
29 min
metro-area
#177 of 200
Commute by driving alone
65.2%
metro-area
#18 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
32.5%
metro-area
#114 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.4¢/kWh
state
#21 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$129
state
#19 of 200
Gasoline
$4.55/gal
state
#175 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$58
state
#58 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$167
state
#179 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$83
state
#135 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#51 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#51 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
92.3 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#123 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$700
state
#175 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
19
metro-area
#1 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
300
metro-area
#2 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)
53%
state
#192 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,700
metro-area
#116 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F
2
metro-area
#6 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200
Avg summer high (state)
76°F
metro-area
#2 of 200
Avg winter low
37°F
metro-area
#65 of 200
Annual precipitation
39.3"
metro-area
#74 of 200
Annual snowfall
6.3"
metro-area
#97 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
47%
metro-area
#192 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
8b
Frost window
02-25 → 12-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
375
state
#69 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
3,000
state
#186 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
5
state
#165 of 200
Permit detail
Difficult; long timelines, design review in Seattle
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
