Median rent is 11% lower in New York ($1,779/mo vs $1,998/mo). Buying is cheaper in New York, where the median home runs $751,700 versus $912,100. Households earn more in Seattle ($121,984 vs $79,713 a year). Taken together, New York is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 113.0 against 114.0 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Seattle, WA.
Quick verdict
New York is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 113.0 in New York vs 114.0 in Seattle (US average = 100)
City A
New York, NY
City B
Seattle, WA
How much would you need to earn in Seattle, WA to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$75,686
You'd need $686 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
New York
New York
Seattle
Washington
👥Population
Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in New York at $1,779/mo compared to $1,998/mo in Seattle (11% gap). Median home values are within 18% of each other: $751,700 in New York and $912,100 in Seattle.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Washington has no state income tax, while New York tops out at 10.90% — giving Seattle a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in New York and 6.50% in Washington; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Seattle
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.50%
Seattle has cleaner air on average: 37.0 AQI (Good) compared to 61.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Seattle if you prioritize higher median household income ($121,984/yr).
Pick New York if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,779/mo median).
Pick Seattle if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 37.0).
Pick Seattle if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is New York cheaper than Seattle?
New York is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 113.0 versus 114.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in New York.
How much is rent in New York vs Seattle?
Median rent is $1,779/mo in New York, NY and $1,998/mo in Seattle, WA. New York, NY has the lower rent by about 11%.
Which has higher salaries — New York or Seattle?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York, NY and $121,984 in Seattle, WA. Seattle, WA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Seattle, WA has better air quality on average: 37.0 AQI versus 61.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — New York or Seattle?
Washington has no state income tax. New York has a top rate of 10.90%.
What salary do I need in Seattle to match my New York income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in New York, NY is equivalent to roughly $100,914 in Seattle, WA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology