Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or Seattle?

Richmond, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Richmond than in Seattle?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Richmond versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Richmond or Seattle?

Richmond is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Richmond vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,390 in Richmond, VA versus $2,030 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Richmond, VA is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,671 in Richmond, VA and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 49% higher in Seattle, WA. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Richmond, VA

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,183

$1,638

+38% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,858

+55% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,374

$2,359

+72% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,447

$2,918

+102% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$328,100

$912,100

+178% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$62,671

$121,984

+95% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,460

$72,610

+41% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.5 yr

35.5 yr

+1.0 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

43.5%

44.2%

+0.7 pp in Seattle, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.1%

67.5%

+23.4 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

22.1 min

26.6 min

+4.5 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

349

788.6

+126% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

3,240.2

5,108.8

+58% in Seattle, WA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

58.9°F

53.5°F

+5.4°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

43.6 in

37.7 in

+5.9 in in Richmond, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.31/gal

+38% in Seattle, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs King County Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.6

14.9

+15% in Richmond, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$23.66

$20.41

+14% in Richmond, VA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Richmond, VA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Seattle, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Seattle, WA

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VA / WA)

5.3%

6.5%

+1.2 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

None

+5.8 pp in VA

Richmond vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or Seattle?: Richmond, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Richmond than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Richmond versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Richmond or Seattle?: Richmond is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).