salarySeattle is the largest city in Washington that we track, with 754,195 residents. Rent is higher than in 79% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 68.4% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $90,920 a year. That is $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Washington cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Washington. It is number 127 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Seattle with other big cities
Compare Seattle to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Seattle?
Share of households by yearly income. 49.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Seattle
| Size | Seattle | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,773 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,014 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,549 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,240 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,493 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Seattle overall?
Everyday prices in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area are 11% above the U.S. average (index 111.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Seattle
Life in Seattle
What jobs pay in Seattle
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $167,290 | 16.3% |
| Software Developer | $167,280 | 16.3% |
| Lawyer | $164,980 | 16.5% |
| Pharmacist | $162,870 | 16.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $160,090 | 17.0% |
| Operations Manager | $146,030 | 18.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $133,740 | 20.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $133,690 | 20.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $128,260 | 21.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $116,480 | 23.4% |
| Police Officer | $115,120 | 23.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $102,920 | 26.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $102,170 | 26.7% |
| Electrician | $101,780 | 26.8% |
| Firefighter | $101,090 | 27.0% |
| Accountant | $99,370 | 27.4% |
| Plumber | $95,230 | 28.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $85,690 | 31.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $80,100 | 34.1% |
| Carpenter | $76,410 | 35.7% |
| Truck Driver | $71,240 | 38.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $61,500 | 44.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $57,280 | 47.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $53,550 | 50.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $51,990 | 52.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,740 | 57.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $47,730 | 57.1% |
| Cashier | $44,210 | 61.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $42,080 | 64.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Seattle?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,240 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $938,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $93,860 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Seattle, WA?
Renting in Seattle costs a median of about $2,273 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Seattle?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $90,920 a year, or $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Seattle cheap or expensive?
Seattle is rated OK: rent takes 20.4% of the typical household income of $133,583. It ranks 127th cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Seattle?
The median homeowner in Seattle pays $7,337 a year in property taxes, about 0.78% of the median home value.
Is Seattle more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Seattle?
The median home value in Seattle is $938,600, about 7.0 times the typical yearly household income.
754,195 people live in Seattle. Numbers are typical (middle) values.