Cost of Living in Seattle
United States
Comfortable budget (single)
$4,677/month
Range $2,954–$4,677/month
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Seattle?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Daily costs at a glance
Typical prices you'll pay in Seattle for everyday essentials.
Coffee
$6
flat white at cafe
Beer
$8.5
pint at pub
Lunch
$25
meal at inexpensive restaurant
Groceries
$585
single-person monthly groceries
Transport
$130
monthly pass
Gym
$62
monthly membership
Full cost breakdown
Colors show how each category compares to the global average of our 100 tracked cities.
| Category | USD/month | vs global |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $2,215–$3,446 | ↑ +40% |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $1,169–$1,846 | ↑ +40% |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $92–$178 | ↑ +39% |
| Internet & Mobile | $37–$62 | ↑ +41% |
| Groceries (monthly) | $468–$702 | ↑ +40% |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $62–$111 | ↑ +40% |
| Coffee | $5–$7 | ↑ +50% |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $117–$142 | ↑ +41% |
| Gym membership | $43–$80 | ↑ +40% |
| Cinema ticket | $17–$22 | ↑ +39% |
Housing market
Rent vs buy snapshot for Seattle — useful if you're comparing long-term relocation options.
Rent (1-bed center)
$2,215–$3,446/mo
Buy center (per m²)
$15,040
Buy outside (per m²)
$8,270
Price-to-rent ratio
20×
Avg mortgage rate
6.8%
💰 Mortgage estimate: a 60 m² apartment in Seattle center at ~$15,040/m² with a 25y loan at 6.8% would cost roughly $6,263/month — compare that to the rent range above.
Local salaries (monthly net, USD)
Typical take-home in Seattle. A green badge means the salary covers at least 2.5× the max rent for a 1-bed in the center.
| Role | Monthly net | Covers rent? |
|---|---|---|
| Average net salary | $6,300 | ❌ No |
| Software engineer (mid) | $9,333 | ✅ Yes |
| Marketing manager | $6,083 | ❌ No |
| Teacher (secondary) | $5,000 | ❌ No |
| Nurse (RN) | $6,600 | ❌ No |
Local insider tips
Practical ways to cut costs that actually work in Seattle.
Maximize savings on public transport by getting an ORCA card, valid across King County Metro, Sound Transit, and other regional services.
For more affordable groceries, consider shopping at stores like H Mart in the International District or Trader Joe's locations, which often offer better value than conventional supermarkets.
Explore diverse and vibrant neighborhoods like Ballard or Capitol Hill for unique local experiences and dining, often with more budget-friendly options than downtown tourist areas.
Budget scenarios
Single
$2,954–$4,677/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$3,446/mo
- Groceries: ~$702/mo
- Transport: ~$142/mo
Couple
$4,677–$7,138/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$3,446/mo
- Groceries: ~$702/mo
- Transport: ~$142/mo
Family
$6,769–$10,462/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$3,446/mo
- Groceries: ~$702/mo
- Transport: ~$142/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Seattle Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,769–$4,308/mo
Seattle Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,437–$3,791/mo
Seattle Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,772–$2,757/mo
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • Tech jobs
- • Nature access
- • No state income tax
❌ Cons
- • Rain
- • Home prices
- • Growth pains
Similar cities & cheaper alternatives
Compare Seattle with another city
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Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.