Cost of Living in Seattle (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Seattle? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed apartment, central neighbourhoodsUSD 2,200–2,900 / month

One-bed apartment, north or south SeattleUSD 1,700–2,200 / month

ORCA monthly transit passUSD 99 / month

Groceries, one personUSD 400–550 / month

WA Cares payroll deduction0.58% of gross wages — around USD 580 a year on a USD 100,000 salary, unless you claim an exemption

Good to know

Population

≈750,000 in the city; ≈4 million across the Seattle metro area

Languages

English; Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Somali and Amharic are all significant in the school system

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Time zone

PST (GMT-8); PDT (GMT-7) from mid-March to early November

Power plug

Types A and B, 120 V / 60 Hz

Climate

Temperate oceanic — mild, grey and drizzly from October to May, then a dry, bright and genuinely excellent summer

Driving side

Right

Sales tax

10.35% in Seattle — among the highest in the US, and the trade for having no income tax

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Seattle checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.