Cost of Living
Median home price: $830K. Rent (1BR downtown): $2,200/mo. No state income tax (saves 5-10% vs. California). Sales tax: 10.25%. Groceries slightly above national average.
Job Market
Unemployment consistently below national average. Major employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks, T-Mobile, Costco. Strong healthcare sector with UW Medicine and Swedish.
Weather Reality
Rain: 152 days/year but total rainfall less than NYC. Summers are spectacular (70-80°F, dry). Winters are grey and mild (40-50°F). Snow is rare downtown.
Neighborhoods by Budget
Under $500K: Tukwila, Renton, Kent. $500K-$1M: Greenwood, Beacon Hill, Columbia City. $1M-$3M: Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Ballard. $3M+: Madison Park, Mercer Island, Medina.
Interactive Relocation Tools
Seattle Weather Overview
Average monthly highs, lows, and rainfall
37.5"
Annual Rainfall
Less than NYC!
152
Sunny Days
Jun–Sep are amazing
152
Rainy Days
Light drizzle mostly
5
Snow Days
Rare downtown
Cost of Living Calculator
Compare your current city to Seattle
San Francisco
$120,000
Seattle Equivalent
$104,348
Seattle is 13% cheaper than San Francisco
$2400
housing/mo
$420
groceries/mo
$180
transportation/mo
$170
utilities/mo
$160
healthcare/mo
$200
entertainment/mo
$3,530/mo
Est. Monthly Costs
$6,000/yr
No Income Tax Savings
Commute Time Estimator
Estimate your daily commute in Seattle
10
minutes
Drive
12
minutes
Transit
12
minutes
Bike
*Average commute times during peak hours. Actual times may vary with traffic and conditions.
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