✦ Cost of living
Seattle
Seattle, Washington
US = 100
Metro median gross rent: $1,965/mo · U.S. Census ACS 2023
In plain terms: Seattle is about 13% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $2,100/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing146+46%
- Food & groceries99−1%
- Transport102+2%
- Utilities85−15%
- Healthcare102+2%
- Goods & services101+1%
Is Seattle expensive?
Yes, moderately. Seattle indexes at 113 against a US average of 100 — roughly 13% above it. That is above average without being in the top bracket, and which neighbourhood you rent in decides most of the gap.
Of the 87 cities we track, Seattle ranks #17 by overall cost — 70 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Seattle costs
One person
$3,530/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$4,860/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$8,820/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,650 | $2,100 | $4,200 |
| Food & groceries | $460 | $660 | $1,110 |
| Transport | $610 | $900 | $1,510 |
| Utilities | $170 | $260 | $430 |
| Healthcare | $290 | $420 | $700 |
| Goods & services | $350 | $520 | $870 |
| Total per month | $3,530 | $4,860 | $8,820 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Seattle
Big tech without state income tax, ringed by mountains and water — bring a rain jacket.
- Currency
- US dollar ($ USD)
- Languages
- English
- Time zone
- UTC-8
- Internet
- 200 Mbps
- English
- Native language
- Safety
- 52/100
- Climate
- ❄ 5°C · ☀ 19°C · 152 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- A/B · 120V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Capitol Hill · Ballard · Fremont
About
“The Emerald City”
Big tech without state income tax, ringed by mountains and water — bring a rain jacket.
- Currency
- US dollar · USD
- Languages
- English
- Coordinates
- 47.61, -122.33
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
37%
Income tax
progressive
0%
VAT / sales
7.65%
Social (employee)
21%
Corporate
20%
Capital gains
$4,300
Avg net salary
per month
Federal; states add 0–13.3% on top.
Visas & residency
Employment-based (H-1B, L-1, O-1) and family routes; famously hard for the green card.
✈ N/A for immigration; ESTA for short visits from VWP countries.
Lottery-based, employer-sponsored.
Max stay: 73 months
For top talent; no lottery.
Citizenship after ~5 yrs. Naturalization after 5 years as LPR (3 if married to citizen).
Quality of life
Quality of life
69/100
Safety
52/100
Healthcare
80/100
Pollution
30/100
Internet
200 Mbps
Jan avg
+5 °C
Jul avg
+19 °C
Sunny days
152/yr
Walkability
74/100
Public transit
70/100
Family-friendly
62/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Native
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 70
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Private health insurance
- $450/mo
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Seattle without a car?
72/100
Car-free score
74/100
Walkability
70/100
Public transport
Mostly — at 72/100, Seattle handles everyday trips on foot and by public transport, but a car still helps for weekend trips, bulk shopping and anything outside the built-up core.
Transport in Seattle indexes at 102 against a US average of 100 — about 2% more expensive than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Seattle ranks #51 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Seattle — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$2,100
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$1,650
- Inexpensive meal$20
- Monthly transit pass$99
- Utilities (monthly)$180
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
✈ Search cheap flights
Sponsored
? Frequently asked questions
Is Seattle, WA expensive to live in?
Seattle, WA's cost-of-living index is 113 (US average = 100) — about 13% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #17 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $3,530 a month and a family of four around $8,820, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA's cost-of-living index is 113 (US average = 100) — about 13% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $2,100 per month.
What are the average living costs in Seattle, WA?
Living costs in Seattle, WA are about 13% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 113 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $2,100. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Seattle, WA?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $2,100 per month, and around $1,650 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in United States?
United States has a top income-tax rate of 37% and a VAT or sales tax of 0%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA averages around +5 °C in January and +19 °C in July, with roughly 152 sunny days a year.
Is Seattle, WA safe?
Seattle, WA scores 52 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Seattle, WA without a car?
Seattle, WA scores 72/100 on our car-free score — 74/100 for walkability and 70/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
❖ Compare Seattle with…
★ Ranked in
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.