Washington · Population 741,440 · Updated March 2026
How far your income goes in Seattle
State-level tax rates that affect your costs
Seattle has a significantly higher cost of living than most US cities, driven largely by premium housing costs. With a cost index of 196 (where 100 equals the national median), Seattle residents can expect to pay median rent of $1,998/month while earning a median household income of $121,984/year.
The median home value in Seattle, WA is $912,100, with typical monthly owner costs around $2,220 including mortgage, insurance, and taxes. The median rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% means housing is relatively affordable here — well below the 30% threshold that HUD considers cost-burdened.
Washington has no state income tax, which can represent significant savings compared to high-tax states. Combined with a 6.5% sales tax rate and 0.92% effective property tax rate, the overall tax environment helps keep costs manageable in Seattle.
Common questions about living costs in Seattle
Similar-sized cities to compare
Compare the cost of living in Seattle, WA with 299 other major U.S. cities