Seattle is one of the fastest growing and most expensive cities in the United States. With a booming technology industry and thriving cultural scene, many people dream of living in the Emerald City. But with high costs of living, you may be wondering – how much money do you really need to earn to live comfortably in Seattle?
What is the Average Cost of Living in Seattle?
The average cost of living in Seattle is significantly higher than the national average. Housing costs in particular can be astronomical compared to other parts of the country. Here’s a quick overview of average living expenses in Seattle:
Expense | Average Cost in Seattle |
---|---|
Rent for 1 bedroom apartment | $1,941 per month |
Utilities for apartment (electricity, heat, water, etc) | $189 per month |
Internet | $67 per month |
Groceries | $396 per month |
Transportation (public transport) | $101 per month |
Other significant expenses like healthcare, entertainment, clothing, and taxes add several hundred dollars to the monthly budget as well. Overall, the average monthly cost of living expenses for a single person come out to around $3,300 in Seattle.
How Much Do You Need to Earn to Live Comfortably in Seattle?
A common rule of thumb is that your total housing expenses should not exceed 30% of your gross income. Given average Seattle rents, that means you need an annual salary of about $77,000 just to afford a typical 1 bedroom apartment without being “housing cost burdened.”
But most people aim for more than just scraping by – we want to live comfortably with enough savings and discretionary income. If we assume the 30% rule for housing, here are some income levels to aim for in Seattle based on lifestyle:
Lifestyle | Required Salary |
---|---|
Just getting by | $50,000 per year |
Living comfortably | $80,000 per year |
Thriving | $120,000+ per year |
At a salary of $50k, you’ll need roommates and a frugal budget just to cover necessities in Seattle. $80k lets you live independently in a 1 bedroom, occasionally dine out and travel, and have some room for savings. To truly feel financially secure, have a nice apartment and lifestyle, you’ll want to aim for over $100k.
What salary do you need for specific lifestyles?
Of course, income needs depend heavily on your individual lifestyle. Here are some salary ranges based on specific living situations in Seattle:
Situation | Recommended Salary |
---|---|
Single person renting solo apartment | $70k – $100k |
Couple renting 1 bedroom apartment | $90k – $130k combined |
Family of 4 in 2 bedroom apartment | $100k – $150k combined |
Single person owning a condo | $100k – $150k |
Family of 4 buying a house | $150k – $250k combined |
As you can see, if home ownership is one of your goals in Seattle, you’ll need a high household income of at least $150k to afford a typical condo or house.
Entry level salaries in Seattle
For recent college graduates and young professionals, Seattle offers some well-paying careers to start out. Here are typical entry-level salaries for popular fields:
Industry | Entry Level Salary |
---|---|
Technology (software engineer, developer) | $100k – $120k |
Engineering | $70k – $90k |
Business/Finance | $60k – $80k |
Healthcare (nurse, therapist) | $60k – $70k |
Education (teacher) | $50k – $60k |
Marketing/Sales | $50k – $70k |
Technology and engineering offer the best starting salaries for new grads. Healthcare also fares pretty well. Fields like education tend to pay less even though living costs are the same. If you’re starting out in a lower paying industry, expect to need roommates or a dual income household.
How Does Seattle Compare to Other Cities?
While Seattle is expensive compared to the national average, it’s costs are on par with other major metro areas, especially tech hubs like San Francisco and New York. For example, here’s how average rents in popular cities stack up:
City | Average 1 Bedroom Rent |
---|---|
San Francisco | $2,498 |
New York | $2,248 |
Boston | $1,947 |
Seattle | $1,941 |
Los Angeles | $1,734 |
Chicago | $1,505 |
So while Seattle is certainly on the pricier end for the United States, it’s no San Francisco or Manhattan. Salary expectations to live comfortably are similar to what you’d need in other coastal cities with booming industries.
Affordable alternatives to Seattle
If Seattle is out of your budget, consider more affordable alternatives in the Pacific Northwest like:
- Tacoma, WA
- Spokane, WA
- Vancouver, WA
- Eugene, OR
- Salem, OR
These smaller cities offer lower costs of living, especially for housing. The tradeoff is fewer high paying jobs, longer commutes to major employers, and missing out on some of Seattle’s amenities.
Conclusion
While six figure tech salaries make headlines, you don’t need to be making millions to live in Seattle. But you do need a solid middle class or upper middle class income to afford market rate housing. Individuals should target $80k+ salaries, while couples will want $130k+ household incomes. Seattle is expensive but offers high salaries in tech and other in-demand fields. With proper planning, living comfortably in this vibrant city is possible for many professionals and their families.