Cost of living in Seattle, WA
Livability score 48 · cost-of-living index 112.7 (US = 100)
How Seattle compares
Where Seattle falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Map of Seattle
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Cost of living
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (US=100) | 112.7 | metro-area | #193 of 200 |
| Grocery index (US=100) | 108.1 | metro-area | #197 of 200 |
| Big Mac price (est.) | $6.41 | metro-area | #192 of 200 |
| Median household income | $107,206 | metro-area | #5 of 200 |
| Median wage (all occupations) | $57,183 | metro-area | #4 of 200 |
Who lives here
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.4 years | metro-area | #68 of 200 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) | 46.3% | metro-area | #14 of 200 |
| Foreign-born residents | 20.4% | metro-area | #26 of 200 |
| Homes that are owner-occupied | 60.4% | metro-area | #171 of 200 |
Economy
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 4.59% | metro-area | #60 of 200 |
| Population growth (5-yr) | +7.1% | metro-area | #52 of 200 |
Housing — what your money buys
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $750,279 | metro-area | #189 of 200 |
| Home price ÷ income (affordability) | 7.0× | metro-area | #182 of 200 |
| 1-yr home appreciation | -1.9% | metro-area | #171 of 200 |
| Price per square foot | $417 | metro-area | #187 of 200 |
| Typical home size (implied) | 1,800 sqft | ||
| Median rent (monthly) | $2,232 | metro-area | #174 of 200 |
| Homes for sale (inventory) | 11,837 | ||
| Median days on market | 10 | metro-area | #52 of 200 |
Taxes
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total tax burden (est. % of income) | 10.7% | state | #124 of 200 |
| Combined sales tax | 9.38% | state | #180 of 200 |
| State income tax (top rate) | None | ||
| Capital gains tax | 7.00% | state | #149 of 200 |
| High earners | 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 | 0.88% | metro-area | #104 of 200 |
| Median property tax paid | $5,543 | metro-area | #185 of 200 |
Health & childcare
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 79.8 years | metro-area | #25 of 200 |
| Healthcare (annual, single adult) | $6,600 | state | #65 of 200 |
| Uninsured (share of residents) | 6.2% | metro-area | #40 of 200 |
| Primary care providers per 100k | 95 | metro-area | #25 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 | 8 | ||
| Avg commute to work | 30 min | metro-area | #184 of 200 |
| Commute by driving alone | 59.5% | metro-area | #6 of 200 |
| Solo drivers commuting 30+ min | 44.0% | metro-area | #177 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) | 99.0 — Relatively High | metro-area | #184 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) | 47 | metro-area | #107 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 | 60 | metro-area | #105 of 200 |
| Parks | 107 | ||
| Hiking areas | 32 | ||
| Golf courses | 17 | ||
| Shooting ranges | 7 | ||
| Lakes | 17 |
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.
Top employers in Seattle
Major public and private employers in the Seattle, WA area.
Salaries by occupation in Seattle
Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →
| Occupation | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Financial Managers | $175,080 |
| Dentists | $172,220 |
| Marketing Managers | $169,500 |
| Human Resources Managers | $168,430 |
| Software Developers | $167,030 |
| Physician Assistants | $159,080 |
| Pharmacists | $157,400 |
| Data Scientists | $135,610 |
| General & Operations Managers | $134,040 |
| Construction Managers | $133,620 |
| Dental Hygienists | $129,410 |
| Web Developers | $115,560 |
| Registered Nurses | $109,700 |
| Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $109,180 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $108,730 |
| Physical Therapists | $104,690 |
| Civil Engineers | $101,220 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $99,410 |
| Accountants & Auditors | $95,580 |
| Electricians | $94,850 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters | $83,230 |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | $80,950 |
| Carpenters | $75,140 |
| Graphic Designers | $74,390 |
| Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,460 |
| Welders, Cutters & Solderers | $62,710 |
| Medical Assistants | $58,660 |
Find a job in Seattle
Cities in the Seattle area
Seattle (734,603) →Tacoma (219,234) →Bellevue (150,606) →Kent (135,169) →Everett (110,847) →Renton (105,355) →Federal Way (99,614) →Kirkland (92,015) →Auburn (85,623) →Redmond (73,728) →Marysville (70,847) →South Hill (67,835) →Sammamish (66,586) →Lakewood (63,142) →Shoreline (58,673) →Burien (51,505) →Bothell (47,917) →Edmonds (42,705) →Puyallup (42,610) →Lynnwood (39,867) →Issaquah (39,400) →Parkland (39,398) →Lake Stevens (38,816) →Graham (34,778) →University Place (34,696) →Spanaway (34,015) →Des Moines (32,667) →SeaTac (30,927) →Maple Valley (27,889) →Mercer Island (25,464) →Mill Creek East (25,302) →Frederickson (24,741) →North Lynnwood (24,235) →Kenmore (23,611) →Martha Lake (23,259) →Cottage Lake (23,233) →Eastmont (23,173) →Union Hill-Novelty Hill (23,173) →Bonney Lake (22,590) →Silver Firs (22,230) →Tukwila (21,569) →Mukilteo (21,365) →Mountlake Terrace (21,350) →Covington (20,814) →Mill Creek (20,797) →Bothell West (20,530) →Arlington (20,263) →Monroe (19,632) →Fairwood (18,612) →Bryn Mawr-Skyway (18,032) →White Center (15,479) →Lakeland North (14,960) →Lake Stickney (14,668) →Elk Plain (14,224) →Bothell East (13,948) →Artondale (13,862) →Snoqualmie (13,762) →Lake Forest Park (13,462) →Fort Lewis (13,440) →Woodinville (13,301) →Newcastle (12,931) →Enumclaw (12,630) →Lakeland South (12,606) →Prairie Ridge (12,444) →Edgewood (12,397) →Lake Tapps (12,196) →East Renton Highlands (12,079) →Gig Harbor (11,917) →Maltby (11,347) →Vashon (10,939) →Fife (10,887) →Sumner (10,589) →Alderwood Manor (10,525) →Lake Morton-Berrydale (10,457) →Snohomish (10,133) →
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