What Is the Cost of Living in Seattle?
Seattle is the city from where multinational companies such as Nordstrom, Starbucks and Boeing originated back in the day. This city is the home to reputed international bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana.
Seattle has become one of the leading hubs for technological jobs and one of the most educated cities in the United States of America. Due to this reason, individuals from all over the world move to Seattle in search of employment and education or to lead a better lifestyle in terms of quality.
Continue reading this article to find out more about the cost of living in Seattle!
What Is the Average Cost of Living in Seattle?
The following table shows the average cost of living in Seattle per month for a bachelor, couple and a family of four.
| Category | Monthly Cost of Living |
|---|---|
| Bachelor | $ 1,900 |
| Couple | $ 2,500 |
| Family of four | $ 5,100 |
What Are the Top Expenses of Living in Seattle?
Top areas of expense while living in Seattle include –
1. Housing
While evaluating the cost of living in Seattle per month, you should know about the monthly rent of housing space in the city as this proves to be the most significant area of expense. Just like anywhere else, the monthly rent of the housing space varies from region to region in the same city.
The table below shows the price of buying a property in Seattle –
| Location | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Magnolia, Queen Anne | $ 10,00,000 |
| Rainier Beach, Columbia City | $ 6,80,000 |
In addition, the monthly rent of accommodation in Seattle is shown in the table below –
| Classification of Accommodation | Approximate Monthly Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $ 1,100 |
| 1 BHK | $ 1,300 |
| 2 BHK | $ 1,700 |
| 3 BHK | $ 2,400 |
2. Groceries
There are several local markets and supermarkets in Seattle from where you can shop the grocery items of your day-to-day needs. The approximate prices of some basic grocery items are illustrated in the table below –
| Grocery Items | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Milk (regular) (1 litre) | $ 1 |
| Fresh Bread (500g) | $ 4 |
| Rice (white) (1kg) | $ 5 |
| Eggs (regular) (1 dozen) | $ 3.5 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | $ 17 |
| Chicken 1 kg (boneless) | $ 12 |
| Apples (1kg) | $ 15.5 |
| Banana (1kg) | $ 2 |
| Oranges (1kg) | $ 5 |
| Tomato (1kg) | $ 6 |
| Potato (1kg) | $ 3 |
| Onion (1kg) | $ 3 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $ 2 |
3. Transportation
Seattle has a light rail system that serves only a limited part of the city. Most of the residents of Seattle rely on their own vehicles or public bus as their primary mode of transportation.
| Fuel Cost/Transportation Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| One-way ticket (public transport) | $ 2.7 |
| Monthly pass (public transport) | $ 100 |
| Taxi 1 km normal tariff | $ 1.7 |
| Price of diesel (as of 13th June) | $ 1.41 |
| Price of gasoline (as of 13th June) | $ 1.52 |
| Cabs (minimum cost) | $ 2.60 per km |
4. Utilities
The cost of essential utilities like electricity, gas supply, internet and the mobile prepaid package also impact the living expenses in Seattle. Due to the presence of some major hydroelectric power plants, the cost of electricity in Seattle is comparatively lower than the rest of the country.
| Utilities | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity, cooling, heating, water, garbage | $ 210 |
| Local prepaid mobile tariff (1 min) | $ 0.13 |
| Unlimited internet package | $ 63 |
5. Entertainment and Leisure
Seattle offers its residents a lot of options for recreational and outdoor activities. These are very important as they help an individual to chill and relax after working throughout the day.
| Area of Expense | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 month gym membership | $ 55 |
| 1 hour rent for a tennis court | $ 33 |
| 1 seat at a cinema hall | $ 14 |
| Meal in an affordable restaurant (1 person) | $ 20 |
| Three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant | $ 90 |
| McMeal at McDonald's | $ 10 |
6. Childcare and Schooling
Finding a good school or college is very important for the proper training and education for the kids. Seattle provides a lot of options in this regard.
| School and Childcare | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Preschool, private, full-day for 1 child (monthly) | $ 1,775 |
| International primary school for 1 child (yearly) | $ 31,400 |
The table below shows the seven best schools in Seattle –
| Name of School | Curriculum | Approximate Annual Tuition Fees |
| Holy Names Academy | American | $ 20,940 |
| Seattle Academy | American | $ 38,400 |
| Lakeside School | American | $ 5,520 |
| Seattle Preparatory School | American | $ 22,750 |
| The Bush School | American | $ 13,200 |
| The Northwest School | American | $ 49,765 |
| University Prep | American | $ 41,650 |
How Expensive Is Seattle Compared to Other Top Cities?
The cost of housing in Seattle is 3.5% more than that in Los Angeles. However, the overall cost of living in Seattle is 0.6% less expensive than that of Los Angeles. According to a report, Seattle is the sixth costliest city in the report, tied with Boston.
Now that you know the cost of living in Seattle, you can start planning your stay in Seattle accordingly. To summarise, the average cost of living in Seattle, Washington is high; however, you can save some money by managing the expenses wisely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seattle the most expensive city in the United States?
The expenses of living in Seattle are undoubtedly high, and this makes Seattle one of the most expensive cities in the United States.
What is the base fare for a cab in Seattle?
The minimum fare for a cab in Seattle is $ 2.6 per km.