Cost of Living in Seattle, Washington, United States

Are you considering a move to Seattle, Washington, United States, and wondering about the cost of living? Seattle, Washington is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Seattle, Washington and help you understand whether $5284 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $6665.42.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Seattle, Washington, United States
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

24.0 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

120.0 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

12.8 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

8.0 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

9.25 $

Cappuccino (regular)

6.67 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

3.35 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

2.67 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

1.28 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

4.55 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

6.21 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

5.03 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

16.14 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

16.28 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

22.17 $

Apples (1 lb)

5.85 $

Banana (1 lb)

2.33 $

Oranges (1 lb)

5.43 $

Tomato (1 lb)

6.37 $

Potato (1 lb)

3.75 $

Onion (1 lb)

3.52 $

Lettuce (1 head)

2.52 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

2.23 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

15.0 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

3.32 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

3.79 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

12.0 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

2.75 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

120.0 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

5.0 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

2.17 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

50.0 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.37 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

35000.0 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

28734.06 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

334.8 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

85.7 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

106.83 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

40.23 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

17.5 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

1980.1 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

39014.29 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

86.94 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

74.18 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

128.9 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

179.94 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

2670.0 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

2108.06 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

5337.03 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

3848.93 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

10532.49 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

7603.72 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

6665.42 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

6.65 %

Cost of Living in Seattle, Washington, United States

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in Seattle, Washington?

The monthly expenses for living in Seattle, Washington come to a total of approximately $5284. This includes an average monthly rent of around $2670 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $377 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $1338 per month.

How affordable is living in Seattle, Washington?

Living in Seattle, Washington appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $6665.42. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Seattle, Washington, you would likely need an income exceeding $6665.42.

What is the average salary in Seattle, Washington?

In Seattle, Washington, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $6665.42, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Seattle, Washington?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Seattle, Washington is approximately $2670. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $2108.06 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Seattle, Washington?

The expense for groceries in Seattle, Washington can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $996 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in United States?

The cost of living in United States can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout United States.

Seattle, Washington, United States

How Safe Is Seattle, Washington, United States for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Seattle, Washington, United States

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Since Seattle is a very large city, you should act as you would in all large cities: be cautious of potential danger and use common sense. However, it is mostly safe.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Taxis and other means of transportation are, overall, very safe to use in Seattle, apart from pickpockets and petty thieves in buses, trains, and stations that may try to steal from you while it's crowded.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Even though Seattle is not exactly known for pickpockets, it is still recommended to remain vigilant in risky areas and around tourist landmarks.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

The most likely natural disasters in Seattle are earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. With five active volcanoes in Washington—Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Glacier Peak—the risk of a volcanic eruption is low, but still present.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

There are some safe areas of Seattle, and then others that are known as hotspots of crime and drug activity. Be careful, Car break-ins and property thefts are a prevalent issue, such as in the University District.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Excluding isolated mass shootings, Seattle hasn't been the target of any terrorist attacks recently, but the attacks shouldn't be ruled out. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There aren't many scams in Seattle. Still, be wary of people trying to distract you to steal from you and of people overcharging you for various services. We advise you to be extremely careful when handling money and around ATMs.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Seattle is somewhat safe for female solo travelers. There are no issues that would endanger females specifically but general caution is advised. Following basic precaution measures should minimize the chances of anything going wrong.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

The US is famous for its harsh policy for acquiring a tourist, let alone a resident visa. The US embassies usually ask for interviews before granting tourist visas, and tourists usually have to pay up to 160 USD to get a visa. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local US embassy for further information.

currency_exchange

Currency

The United States dollar is the official currency in Seattle. Credit and debit cards are accepted nearly everywhere, and ATMs are widely available. The prices vary but you can plan on spending about 100 dollars per day.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

Seattle generally has a quite temperate climate, with few days that are unbearably hot and few that are cold. Seattle is known for rainy weather, but it doesn't rain every day.

flight_takeoff

Airports

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is the primary commercial airport serving the Seattle metropolitan area in the state of Washington. It is located in the city of SeaTac, some 23 km south of Downtown Seattle.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Seattle, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Seattle, Washington, United States

What about weather in Seattle, Washington, United States ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 48°F 51°F 55°F 60°F 66°F 72°F 77°F 77°F 71°F 61°F 52°F 47°F
Temp 42°F 44°F 47°F 51°F 57°F 62°F 66°F 67°F 62°F 53°F 46°F 41°F
Low 38°F 39°F 42°F 45°F 50°F 55°F 58°F 58°F 54°F 48°F 42°F 38°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 8°C 10°C 12°C 15°C 18°C 22°C 25°C 25°C 21°C 16°C 11°C 8°C
Temp 5°C 6°C 8°C 10°C 13°C 16°C 18°C 19°C 16°C 11°C 7°C 5°C
Low 3°C 3°C 5°C 7°C 10°C 12°C 14°C 14°C 12°C 8°C 5°C 3°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in United States with Seattle, Washington

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

Cost of living in countries