Cost of Living in Seattle, WA
Population 749,256 · Washington
The cost of living in Seattle, WA is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,858 a month — 52% higher than the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,638 and two-bedrooms $2,359.
Median household income here is $121,984, 61% higher than the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $2,020 before food and transport. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
Rent1BR $1,858
Buying a Home$912,100
Income$121,984
Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).
GroceriesWest
Average prices, West (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
Utilities14.4¢/kWh
Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Gas$5.77/gal
EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.
Public Transit$2.75
Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026).
State Taxes (WA)6.5% sales
State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.
Crime787.3 violent
FBI Crime Data Explorer, Seattle Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.
People & LifestyleAge 35.5 yrs
Climate53.5°F
Seattle cost of living — FAQ
- Is Seattle expensive to live in?
- Seattle is among the most expensive of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,858 per month ranks #5 of 50 and is 52% higher than the $1,223 median.
- What is the average rent in Seattle?
- Average rent in Seattle, WA runs a studio around $1,638, a one-bedroom around $1,858, a two-bedroom around $2,359, a three-bedroom around $2,918 per month (US Census ACS).
- How much do you need to earn to live in Seattle?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,858 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year. The median household income here is $121,984.
- How much does it cost to live in Seattle per month?
- A rough monthly baseline for one person in Seattle is about $2,020 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.
Compare Seattle with nearby cities
Nearby cities
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.