Seattle, Washington has an overall cost of living index of 112.7, which is 12.7 points above the US average of 100 — making it pricier than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $2,030 per month, while the typical home is valued around $938,600. Households earn a median of $123,860 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is moderate, with an average AQI of 52. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$123,860
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$2,030
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$938,600
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
112.7
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$2,074
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$2,146
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$2,501
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$3,272
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
112.7
Goods
108.1
Rents / Housing
151.6
Services
85.3
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $181,040 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $120,260 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $97,740 |
| ⚡Electrician | $100,230 |
| 📊Accountant | $106,100 |
| 🔧Plumber | $94,630 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $297,080 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $116,330 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $171,840 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $112,920 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $172,810 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $70,690 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $157,760 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
754,195
Latest estimate
Median Age
35.6 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
52.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$2,126
Per month
Avg Home Value
$951,033
Census ACS
January Avg
42°F
July Avg
67°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Temperate · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
32.1
poor
Hospitals
9
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
95.8%
What is the cost of living index for Seattle?
Seattle has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 112.7. The US national average is 100, so Seattle is 12.7 points above the national average.
What is the median rent in Seattle?
The median gross rent in Seattle is $2,030 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Seattle?
The median household income in Seattle is $123,860 per year.
What is the median home value in Seattle?
The median home value in Seattle is $938,600 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Seattle?
Seattle has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 52.0, which is rated "Moderate" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Seattle?
Tax data for Washington is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
