7% capital gains tax on gains over ~$262k (no wage income tax)
Effective property tax rate
0.88%
#104 of 200
Median property tax paid
$5,543
#185 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
#65 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$16,000
#150 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
US rank
Annual registration
$200
#135 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
Discontinued emissions testing in 2020
DMV & license offices
8
Avg commute to work
30 min
#184 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
US rank
Electricity
14.4¢/kWh
#21 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$129
#19 of 200
Gasoline
$4.55/gal
#175 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$58
#58 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$167
#179 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$83
#135 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,500
#51 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
#51 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
#61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$700
#175 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
42
#1 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
300
#2 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,700
#116 of 200
Avg summer high
76°F
#2 of 200
Avg winter low
37°F
#65 of 200
Annual precipitation
39.3"
#74 of 200
Annual snowfall
6.3"
#97 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
47%
#192 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
8b
Frost window
02-25 → 12-01
Safety
Metric
Value
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k)
375
#69 of 200
Property crime (per 100k)
3,000
#186 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
US rank
Grocery stores
60
#105 of 200
Parks
107
Hiking areas
32
Golf courses
17
Shooting ranges
7
Lakes
17
Permits
Metric
Value
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
5
#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.