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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Seattle: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

11.1% above

Cost of living in Seattle is 11.1% above the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area (index 111.1; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Seattle is $2,007 a month.

Cost of living in Seattle by category

Overall prices

111.1U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

+11.1% vs. U.S.

Goods
104.0 +4.0%
Housing (rents)
151.3 +51.3%
Utilities
92.8 −7.2%
Other services
106.8 +6.8%

BEA 2024 · Seattle metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$2,007/mo

Median gross rent

+35% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,917 +47% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$2,435 +63% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$2,951 +76% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$950,800 +164% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$3,651 +79% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$132/mo

Average electric bill

−16% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
14.7¢/kWh −20% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$20.02/Mcf +3% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
92.8

EIA July 2026 · Washington statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

25.9min

Mean travel time to work

−5% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
40.6%
Work from home
24.4%
Gasoline (Seattle area)
$5.66/gal +30% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$478/wk

Center care, infant

+176% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$390/wk +154% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$390/wk +170% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$347/wk +142% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · King County Details: Child care

Income

$118,745/yr

Median household income

+46% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
20%
Home value to income
8.0×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Seattle

Median gross rent in Seattle is $2,007 a month, 35% above the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $2,000–$2,499 range, which holds 20.9% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 29.4% pay $2,500 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $950,800.

Housing costs: Seattle vs. Washington vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Seattle: $2,007; Washington: $1,824; U.S.: $1,487 Seattle $2,007 Washington $1,824 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Seattle: $3,651; Washington: $2,519; U.S.: $2,035 Seattle $3,651 Washington $2,519 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Seattle: $950,800; Washington: $602,200; U.S.: $360,600 Seattle $950,800 Washington $602,200 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureSeattleWashingtonU.S.
Median monthly rent$2,007$1,824$1,487
Monthly owner costs$3,651$2,519$2,035
Median home value$950,800$602,200$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Seattle

What renters pay in Seattle Share of renter households paying cash rent in Seattle by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 3.3%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 9%. Median $2,007. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 3.3% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 1.4% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 3.3% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 4.4% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 9.5% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 27.8% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 20.9% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 13.3% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 7.1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 9% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $2,007 (Seattle) 27.8%
Show the data table
RangeSeattleU.S.
Less than $5003.3%6.1%
$500–$7491.4%6.8%
$750–$9993.3%11.5%
$1,000–$1,2494.4%13.5%
$1,250–$1,4999.5%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99927.8%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49920.9%13.2%
$2,500–$2,99913.3%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4997.1%3.2%
$3,500 or more9%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Seattle

Measure Seattle Washington U.S.
Median rent (all units) $2,007$1,824$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,917$1,641$1,301
2-bedroom rent $2,435$1,837$1,490
3-bedroom rent $2,951$2,183$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $3,651$2,519$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Seattle?

At the median, rent takes about 20% of household income in Seattle. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $80,300 a year.

The median home is worth $950,800, or 8.0 times the median household income.

Household income in Seattle

The median household in Seattle earns $118,745 a year, 46% above the U.S. median of $81,604. About 30.6% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 11% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Seattle vs. Washington vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Seattle: $118,745; Washington: $99,389; U.S.: $81,604 Seattle $118,745 Washington $99,389 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureSeattleWashingtonU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$118,745$99,389$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Seattle

Household income distribution in Seattle Share of households in Seattle by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 5.3%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 30.6%. Median $118,745. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Less than $10,000: 5.3% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 1.6% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 2.1% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 2% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 1.8% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 1.3% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 2.7% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 2.6% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 3.9% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 6.8% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 10.8% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 9.3% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 6.3% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 10.9% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 30.6% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $118,745 (Seattle) 30.6%
Show the data table
RangeSeattleU.S.
Less than $10,0005.3%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9991.6%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9992.1%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9992%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9992%3%
$30,000–$34,9991.8%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9991.3%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9992.7%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9992.6%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9993.9%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9996.8%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99910.8%12.6%
$100,000–$124,9999.3%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9996.3%7.4%
$150,000–$199,99910.9%9.7%
$200,000 or more30.6%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Seattle Washington U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $118,745$99,389$81,604
Median home value $950,800$602,200$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area scored 111.1 for all items. The highest category is housing rents at 151.3; the lowest is utilities at 92.8.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Seattle metro area: 111.1; Washington: 107.0; U.S.: 100.0 Seattle metro area 111.1 Washington 107.0 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Seattle metro area: 104.0; Washington: 104.4; U.S.: 99.6 Seattle metro area 104.0 Washington 104.4 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Seattle metro area: 151.3; Washington: 126.0; U.S.: 100.6 Seattle metro area 151.3 Washington 126.0 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Seattle metro area: 92.8; Washington: 92.9; U.S.: 98.4 Seattle metro area 92.8 Washington 92.9 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Seattle metro area: 106.8; Washington: 103.9; U.S.: 100.1 Seattle metro area 106.8 Washington 103.9 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureSeattle metro areaWashingtonU.S.
All items111.1107.0100.0
Goods104.0104.499.6
Housing (rents)151.3126.0100.6
Utilities92.892.998.4
Other services106.8103.9100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Washington paid an average of 14.7¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $132 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $20.02 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Washington averages rather than figures for Seattle alone.

Energy prices: Washington vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Washington: 14.7¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Washington 14.7¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Washington: $132; U.S.: $157 Washington $132 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Washington: $20.02; U.S.: $19.40 Washington $20.02 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureWashingtonU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)14.7¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$132$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$20.02$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Seattle who commute spend an average of 25.9 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (40.6% of workers); 24.4% work from home. Regular gasoline averaged $5.66 a gallon in the Seattle area in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Seattle: Drove alone 40.6%, Carpooled 4.6%, Public transit 15%, Walked 10.7%, Bicycle 3.5%, Worked from home 24.4%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.2%. Washington: Drove alone 65.1%, Carpooled 9.1%, Public transit 4.2%, Walked 3.3%, Bicycle 0.8%, Worked from home 16.4%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.1%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Seattle: Drove alone. Seattle Seattle · Drove alone: 40.6% 40.6% Seattle · Carpooled: 4.6% Seattle · Public transit: 15% 15% Seattle · Walked: 10.7% Seattle · Bicycle: 3.5% Seattle · Worked from home: 24.4% 24.4% Seattle · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.2% Washington Washington · Drove alone: 65.1% 65.1% Washington · Carpooled: 9.1% Washington · Public transit: 4.2% Washington · Walked: 3.3% Washington · Bicycle: 0.8% Washington · Worked from home: 16.4% 16.4% Washington · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.1% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationSeattleWashingtonU.S.
Drove alone40.6%65.1%69.2%
Carpooled4.6%9.1%9.2%
Public transit15%4.2%3.7%
Walked10.7%3.3%2.4%
Bicycle3.5%0.8%0.5%
Worked from home24.4%16.4%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)1.2%1.1%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Seattle

Travel time to work in Seattle Share of workers who do not work from home in Seattle by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.3%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 1.2%. Mean 25.9 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 1.3% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 6.6% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 10.9% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 15.7% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 17.3% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 8.1% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 17.6% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 4.4% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 4.3% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 8.8% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 3.8% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 1.2% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 25.9 min (Seattle) 17.6%
Show the data table
RangeSeattleU.S.
Less than 5 min1.3%2.8%
5–9 min6.6%9.4%
10–14 min10.9%13.1%
15–19 min15.7%15%
20–24 min17.3%14.1%
25–29 min8.1%7%
30–34 min17.6%13.7%
35–39 min4.4%3.4%
40–44 min4.3%4.1%
45–59 min8.8%8.3%
60–89 min3.8%6.3%
90 min or more1.2%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Seattle

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $478 a week in King County, or $24,879 over 52 weeks. That is 176% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care King County Washington (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $478$328$174
Center-based care, toddler $390$249$153
Center-based care, preschool $390$249$144
Center-based care, school-age $289$192$120
Home-based family care, infant $347$246$143
Home-based family care, toddler $310$205$132
Home-based family care, preschool $310$205$131
Home-based family care, school-age $245$190$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Seattle prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Seattle?

Median rent is $1,917 for a one-bedroom and $2,435 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Seattle?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 8% pay less than $1,000 a month, 41.7% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 50.3% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Seattle?

To keep the median rent of $2,007 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $80,300 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Seattle more expensive than the U.S. average?

Yes. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area at 111.1 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 11.1% above average. Housing rents score 151.3.

How long is the average commute in Seattle?

25.9 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Seattle?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $478 a week in King County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.