Cost of Living in Seattle

Seattle cost of living at a glance

• Average cost of a one-bedroom apartment for rent in Seattle is $1,919 per month
• Average cost of utilities in Seattle is $220 per month
• Average annual salary in Seattle is $70,233 per year
• Cost of living in Seattle is 14% higher than in Portland, Oregon

The cost of living in Seattle is 53% higher than the national average. Housing costs make up the biggest difference with the cost of buying or renting approximately 109% higher than the state’s average.

On average, Seattle has a higher cost of living than many other places in the U.S. This Pacific Northwestern city has a cost of living index of 172.3, compared to 118.7 for the state of Washington and 100 for the average across the country. All areas of living, including housing, utilities, food, health care, transportation, and goods and services, are more expensive in Seattle, Washington, than the rest of Washington state.

To help you calculate if this city is in your budget, we pulled a list of factors that affect Seattle’s cost of living.

• Housing costs
• Transportation costs
• Utilities
• Food costs
• Health care
• Entertainment
• Taxes
• Other Expenses
• Income and job market

Seattle housing costs

Here are the current rental rates in Seattle, Washington:

• Studio rent in Seattle: $1,375 per month
• One-bedroom rent in Seattle: $1,919 per month
• Two-bedroom rent in Seattle: $2,500 per month

In Seattle, rental rates vary by neighborhood, with Belltown, South Lake Union, and Denny-Blaine coming in at the highest and Lake City, and Laurelhurst coming in the lowest. The closer to the city center you are, the more expensive rent becomes. According to Zumper’s recent national rental price report, a one-bedroom in Seattle costs an average of $1,930 per month, and a two-bedroom costs $2,600 per month. 

Compare Seattle rental costs for an average one-bedroom apartment to various cities throughout Washington: Bellevue comes in with the highest rental rate at $2,600, Redmond sits at $2,299, Renton is at $1,733, and Kent is at $1,500. However, keep in mind that even though you can pay less in some of the far-flung neighborhoods of Seattle, you’ll need to factor in transportation costs for your commute if you work in the center of the city.

Seattle transportation costs

Whether you commute to and from work or school, want to explore the city, or take day trips to beautiful places like Mount Rainer National Park, you’re going to need transportation. Unfortunately, Seattle has some of the worst traffic in the nation, with many commuters spending at least 28.4 minutes stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology wage calculator, if you have a car in Seattle, expect to pay about $4,938 annually and as much as $14,613 per year for two working adults with three children. If you want to go by car, expect to pay about $5.44 per gallon for gas, which is higher than the national average of $4.779 per gallon. Transportation costs are, on average, 35% higher than in the rest of the country.

The two major public transit systems, King County Metro and Sound Transit can get you around various parts of the Emerald City hassle-free. Sound Transit, officially known as the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, serves the Seattle metropolitan area with the LINK light rail system, the Sounder commuter rail, and the Sound Transit Express bus service. If you’re using Seattle’s public transport a one-way ticket averages $2.25, but you can save by getting a monthly pass, which costs $99 per month. Riding on the ferry or water taxis may vary in cost.

If you choose to drive your own vehicle in Seattle, Washington, you can expect to pay around $1,312 per year for car insurance.

Seattle utility costs

Basic essential utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and garbage will run approximately $220 per month for a 915-square-foot apartment. Of course, these rates change seasonally, as you’ll use more power during the cold months to heat your apartment. Seattle, Washington, residents pay an average of 8% more in utilities than the national average. High-speed internet, which is essential if you work from home, averages around $68.24 a month. Make sure you budget for these utility expenses ahead of time.

Seattle food costs

With so much fresh produce, locally caught seafood, and specialty food items, food costs in Seattle may be up to 30% more than the national average. Visiting the numerous open-air farmer’s markets can help you find good deals on quality, locally grown produce, homemade bread, cheeses, meats, and seafood. Here are the average costs you can expect to pay when shopping at a grocery store:

• A dozen eggs: $3.51
• One loaf of bread: $3.47
• 1 gallon of milk: $4.01
• 1 pound of chicken fillets: $6.02
• 1 pound of ground beef: $7.27

However, with so many fabulous world-class restaurants, boutique bistros, coffee shops, and beer bars to visit, you’ll want to add those costs into your budget. A one-person meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs an average of $20, and a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant comes out to around $80.

Seattle health care costs

While rent, sales tax, and transportation are some of the highest in the nation, health care costs in Seattle are actually 15 points below the national average, sitting at 85.2. Some health care insurance companies in Seattle, Washington, include Kaiser, LifeWise, Molina, and PacificSource. Shopping around can help you find the best health insurance in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle entertainment costs

Entertainment costs in Seattle can also add to the cost of living. When you want to treat yourself and your household to the best of Seattle, check out these awesome destinations:

• Seattle Art Museum: $19.99 for an adult ticket
• Woodland Park Zoo: $26.25 for adult tickets
• Museum of Pop Culture: Ticket prices vary from $25 to $32 for general admission adult tickets
• Space Needle: $35 and up for tickets and special admission

There are many free things to do in Seattle that allow you to live comfortably while enjoying what the city has to offer. Pike Place Market is free to walk through and see all of the fishmongers and floral shops, and it’s a great way to people-watch. 

Meditate at Waterfall Garden Park nestled in the Pioneer Square neighborhood, watch fish jumping the ladders at Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, or enjoy neighborhood art walks during the warm summer months. You can also enjoy art and nature at Olympic Sculpture Park.

Other expenses to consider when living in Seattle

Washington doesn’t have any personal income tax, but the state does have a 6.5% sales tax. You also pay additional sales tax living in Seattle, which is 3.75%. Both add up to 10.25% sales tax. That means every time you buy anything, from a pair of jeans to a warm winter coat for your kid, you need to add that 10.25% tax to the overall sales price.

If you have children, child care for all-day preschool costs over $1,664 per month. To send your little ones to an international primary school in the area, expect to pay over $27,000 per year. If you want to join a fitness club in Seattle, you can expect to pay around $55 per month.

Average salary in Seattle

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean hourly wage in Seattle across all occupations is $35.74, which is above the national average of $27.07 per hour. Major companies headquartered in Seattle like Boeing, Amazon, Starbucks, and Microsoft offer plenty of job opportunities. The unemployment rate in Seattle is 3.9%, which is slightly higher than the national average of 3.6%.

Some of the benefits of living in Seattle include the high quality of living, outdoor recreational opportunities, and fabulous dining. In order to help you decide which part of the Emerald City to settle in, it’s important to understand the Seattle cost of living. With so much beauty, plentiful job opportunities, and fabulous food, it’s no wonder people love moving to Seattle. We hope this guide to the cost of living in Seattle will help you find the perfect neighborhood to rent your apartment so you can settle into your new home.

FAQ: Cost of living in Seattle

With so much beauty, plentiful job opportunities, and fabulous food, it’s no wonder people love moving to Seattle. We hope this guide to the cost of living in Seattle will help you find the perfect neighborhood to rent your apartment so you can settle into your new home.

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